University of Groningen
(1,0 fte)
(Groningen), 38 hours per week
University of Groningen
Job description
Function title: PhD position at the department of Molecular Microbiology.
The main metabolic activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is the production of small organic acids from carbohydrates which ultimately results in acidic stress. Catabolic decarboxylation pathways for di- and tricarboxylates and amino acids have evolved to counteract acidification. The aim of this proposal is to reconstruct the evolution of the malate and citrate fermentation pathways in LAB. The around 20 genome sequences available for food-born LAB encode a highly variable number of genes suggesting active gene loss and acquisition during evolution which makes the organisms highly suitable for reconstruction of metabolic pathways. The citrate and malate pathways are believed having evolved through horizontal gene transfer using the same pools of genes coding for decarboxylases and transporter proteins.
Most remarkable features of the pathways are two completely different mechanisms of energy conservation that have evolved from two unrelated oxaloacetate decarboxylases and the involvement of a pool of transporter proteins that are very distantly related. The aim of the project is to reconstruct the evolution of the pathways in LAB by identifying and demonstrating functionality of intermediate states in the pool of bacterial genomes available now. The pathways will be studied at the cell and protein level, including energetics, protein-protein interactions and the relation between the constituents of different pathways.
Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
The successful candidate has a masters or equivalent degree in biology/biochemistry with a strong interest in membrane proteins and a background in molecular biology. Good proficiency of the English language is required. The candidate will enroll in the education and supervision program of the Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute. Teaching duties of 10% of the time are foreseen.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Teaching & Research(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)
Organization
University of Groningen
Founded in 1614. One of the best universities in Europe and the world. A wide variety of disciplines. Internationally oriented. Rooted in the North of the Netherlands. Socially active. Our researchers and lecturers are inspired academics. Ambitious students. We respect the differences in talent, ambitions and performance of the 25.000 students and members of staff.
The university provides a career advisory service for partners of new staff who move to Groningen.
The university is an equal opportunities employer. Because women are still underrepresented in a number of fields, they are particularly encouraged to apply.
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Conditions of employment
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: Four years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
The University of Groningen offers a salary of € 2000 gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 2558 gross per month in the final year. The full time appointment is temporary of 1.5 years with the perspective of prolongation with another 2.5 years. Objective of the temporary 4-year position is a number of research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, which together will form the basis of the thesis leading to the granting of the PhD degree (dr.) at the University of Groningen. After the first year, there will be an evaluation as to the feasibility of successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years.
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr. Juke S. Lolkema
E-mail address: j.s.lolkema@rug.nl
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:
You can apply for this job before 07-05-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
University of Groningen
Personnel and Organization Department
P.O. Box 72
9700 AB Groningen
The Netherlands
E-mail: vmp@rug.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number AT208105.
(Groningen), 38 hours per week
University of Groningen
Job description
Function title: PhD position at the department of Molecular Microbiology.
The main metabolic activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is the production of small organic acids from carbohydrates which ultimately results in acidic stress. Catabolic decarboxylation pathways for di- and tricarboxylates and amino acids have evolved to counteract acidification. The aim of this proposal is to reconstruct the evolution of the malate and citrate fermentation pathways in LAB. The around 20 genome sequences available for food-born LAB encode a highly variable number of genes suggesting active gene loss and acquisition during evolution which makes the organisms highly suitable for reconstruction of metabolic pathways. The citrate and malate pathways are believed having evolved through horizontal gene transfer using the same pools of genes coding for decarboxylases and transporter proteins.
Most remarkable features of the pathways are two completely different mechanisms of energy conservation that have evolved from two unrelated oxaloacetate decarboxylases and the involvement of a pool of transporter proteins that are very distantly related. The aim of the project is to reconstruct the evolution of the pathways in LAB by identifying and demonstrating functionality of intermediate states in the pool of bacterial genomes available now. The pathways will be studied at the cell and protein level, including energetics, protein-protein interactions and the relation between the constituents of different pathways.
Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
The successful candidate has a masters or equivalent degree in biology/biochemistry with a strong interest in membrane proteins and a background in molecular biology. Good proficiency of the English language is required. The candidate will enroll in the education and supervision program of the Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute. Teaching duties of 10% of the time are foreseen.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Teaching & Research(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)
Organization
University of Groningen
Founded in 1614. One of the best universities in Europe and the world. A wide variety of disciplines. Internationally oriented. Rooted in the North of the Netherlands. Socially active. Our researchers and lecturers are inspired academics. Ambitious students. We respect the differences in talent, ambitions and performance of the 25.000 students and members of staff.
The university provides a career advisory service for partners of new staff who move to Groningen.
The university is an equal opportunities employer. Because women are still underrepresented in a number of fields, they are particularly encouraged to apply.
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Conditions of employment
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: Four years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
The University of Groningen offers a salary of € 2000 gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 2558 gross per month in the final year. The full time appointment is temporary of 1.5 years with the perspective of prolongation with another 2.5 years. Objective of the temporary 4-year position is a number of research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, which together will form the basis of the thesis leading to the granting of the PhD degree (dr.) at the University of Groningen. After the first year, there will be an evaluation as to the feasibility of successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years.
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr. Juke S. Lolkema
E-mail address: j.s.lolkema@rug.nl
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:
- About the organization (http://www.rug.nl)
- About the Molecular Microbiology group (http://www.rug.nl/gbb/research/researchgroups/molecularmicrobiology/)
You can apply for this job before 07-05-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
University of Groningen
Personnel and Organization Department
P.O. Box 72
9700 AB Groningen
The Netherlands
E-mail: vmp@rug.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number AT208105.
