Plastic pollution is a major environmental problem caused by the accumulation of plastic waste in the natural environment. The global production of plastic has increased rapidly over the past few decades, with 380 million tonnes per annum. Around 70% of global production is concentrated in six major polymer types, the so-called commodity plastics. These materials are inexpensive, versatile and easy to work with, making them the preferred choice for the mass production of everyday objects. Our research is particularly focused on polyurethane (PUR) that is considered an adaptable material and can be found a wide range of applications, including insulation, adhesives, coatings, and foams. The poor degradability of this material brought the scientific community in finding new solutions to harness the problem and, as in many other cases, enzymes revealed to be the leading players in this challenge.
Framed in this context, in our research we are focused on finding enzyme candidates capable of degrading polyurethane fragments specifically attacking the scissile bond intrinsic of the polymer chemical structure. Among the copious amount of enzyme classes, the broad family of amidases has caught our attention since their reaction with polyurethane would produce two fragments being a carbonyl and an amine moieties that could be recycled as valuable building blocks. The recently established NNF funded “Centre for enzymatic deconstruction of thermoset plastics for a sustainable society (En’Zync)” is seeking to identify, characterize, and describe enzymes that are capable of degrading thermoset plastics.
Responsibilities and qualifications
Enzymatic deconstruction of thermoset plastics represents a recycling paradigm shift offering unprecedented utilization of resources urgently needed in the transition to a sustainable future. Although enzymatic activity onto thermosets has been reported, the polymer complexity combined with rudimentary understanding of the enzyme-polymer substrate interactions and underlying mechanisms represents a fundamental challenge if enzymes are to be applied in thermoset recycling. The project will include a number of method development approaches and enzymatic engineering. Your overall focus will be to strengthen the department’s competences within computational modeling of design and optimization of enzymes for the development of plastic degrading technologies. You will work with nearby colleagues, and with both academic and industrial partners in Denmark as well as abroad. Your primary tasks will be to:
- Teach and supervise BSc and MSc student projects, and be co-supervisor for PhD students
- Design construct for various urethaneses or similar enzymes
- Expression, Protein purification of large number of enzymes in parallel
- Biochemical characterisation and kinetic studies
- Optimize thermostability os selected enzymatic candidates using presen method
- Develop novel methods to design thermostable enzymes
- Crystallisation, structure determination
Mandatory qualifications include:
- General knowledge with protein chemistry and construct design, expression purification and mutagenesis
- Various biophysical methods such as nanoDSF, CD, ITC or similar
- Knowledge of at least one programming language, preferably python is required.
- Work knowledge of Word and Excel and kinetic software
- The group has a number of international collaborations, and the position requires applicants to be highly organized and fluent in English
- Open and friendly nature, not afraid to learn something new.
You must have a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU’s rules for the PhD education.
Assessment
Assessment of the candidate will be performed by a Prof. Morth and Peter Westh assisted by Post Doc Laura Rotillio
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.
Starting date is 1st of August (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Prof. Preben Morth premo@dtu.dk
You can read more about the Department for Biomedicine and Biotechnology https://www.bioengineering.dtu.dk/
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 March 2024 (23:59 Danish time).
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link “Apply now”, fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
You may apply prior to obtaining your master’s degree but cannot begin before having received it.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science- and biotech industries and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus
Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.
Deadline: 2024-03-01 at 23:59
Unit: dtu
Read the job description at the university homepage or apply.