Postdoc Position in Mathematical Science

Responsibilities

Bacteriophages are the viruses of bacteria and have the capacity to reproduce them selves within a bacterial population through a cycle of infection and bacterial lysis. In particular cases, phages can integrate their genetic material within the host cell and thrive within the bacterial population awaiting favorable conditions for renewed lytic phage reproduction. The overall project aims to exploit a number of phage features to reprogram bacterial populations for controlled bioprocessing in a bioreactor. 

The postdoctoral position will aim for the modelling of phage-host dynamics of engineered phages under various bioreactor conditions. You will build predictive population balance models equipped with regulatory circuitry and metabolic pathways, that compute optimal phage and circuitry tuning and bioprocessing conditions.

You will collaborate with the PhD students that perform the phage engineering and interact with them in providing circuitry design information. You will assist in performing experiments capturing macroscopic and microscopic (engineered) phage-host dynamics in bioreactors, and validate computationally-derived optimized conditions.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in in bioscience engineering, chemical engineering, bioprocess engineering, or a related field.
• You have a sound computational background, holding research experience in modelling of biological processes (e.g., bioreactor models, synthetic gene circuits, population balance models) and programming in Matlab, Python, or other environment.
• You have an affinity with performing experiments (e.g., bioreactors, microbiological analyses, microscopy).
• You are a passionate researcher with a critical mind.
• You are a team player with the ability to collaborate and manage your own research project.
• Advanced command of both spoken and written English is mandatory.

Offer

• We offer you a two-year postdoctoral position. Detailed employment conditions will be shared upon contact.
• We will support you in all aspects in order to successfully run your postdoctoral project.
• You will be given opportunities to participate at national and international meetings and establish your network.
• We offer a competitive salary (https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/en/phd/phd-information#working-conditions)

Interested?

You should upload a detailed Curriculum Vitae and transcript of courses together with a concise letter of motivation in the online portal.

For more information, please contact Prof. Dr. Ir. Kristel Bernaerts (mail: kristel.bernaerts@kuleuven.be).

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.

In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com