PhD positions - AALBORG University
At the Faculties of Engineering, Science and Medicine, Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Section for Sustainable Biotechnology in Copenhagen a position as
Ph.D. fellow (position no. 562/06-18-29144) is open for appointment from 1.6.2009.
Job description:
Energy crops for Biofuels
The PhD stipend is available within the general study programme “Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering”.
The aim of the PhD project is to determine and enhance the biofuels potential (bioethanol and biogas) of different energy crops, primarily grasses. Composition analysis of the lignocellulosic material will be applied and analysis methods will be improved for determining the theoretical and practical biofuels potential of the different biomass resources. The exploitation of the theoretical biofuels potential will then be tested by applying pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, ethanol fermentation and anaerobic digestion. Each step of the production process will be optimized or redeveloped and a model should be applied to relate the optimal conditions to the composition characteristics of each tested biomass. The determination of oligosaccharides in grasses as valuable by-products will also be included. The optimization of the biofuels production will focus on biotechnological methods; therefore the applicant should have a solid background in biotechnology and should be firm with biotechnological experimental methods. Furthermore, experience in analytical techniques (GC, HPLC, TLC) would be advantageous.
Qualification requirements:
PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Masters degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of the Faculties of Engineering, Science and Medicine, in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 18 of January 14, 2008 on the PhD Programme at the Universities. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed every six months. It is a prerequisite for continuation of salary payment that the previous progress is approved at the time of the evaluation.
The qualifications of the applicant will be assessed by an assessment committee. On the basis of the recommendation of the assessment committee, the Dean of the Faculties of Engineering, Science and Medicine will make a decision for allocating the stipend.
Appointment and salary acc. to the Ministry of Finance Circular of January 11, 2006 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the Ministry of Finance Circular of June 13, 2007 on the employment structure at Danish Universities.
For further information about stipends and salary contact Ms. Tine Lützhøft, The Faculties of Engineering, Science and Medicine, email:
tl@adm.aau.dk, phone: +45 9940 7380.
The PhD application form can be downloaded from the following address:
http://www.phd.ins.aau.dk/get-a-phd/3591832
The faculty has a research school, The Doctoral School of Engineering, Science and Medicine:
http://www.phd.ins.aau.dk and a Network for all PhD students:
http://pau.aau.dk
You may obtain further information from Associate Professor Hinrich Uellendahl, Section for Sustainable Biotechnology, Copenhagen Institute of Technology, Lautrupvang 15, 2750 Ballerup, phone: +45 99 40 25 85, email:
hu@bio.aau.dk concerning the technical aspects of the stipend.
Application marked with the PhD stipend No. 562/06-18-29144, should include in four copies: the PhD application form, the Masters diploma including grades, publications, Curriculum Vitae, proposal for a PhD study plan and any other material, as well as a list of submitted material. Due to legal constraints electronic applications will not be accepted.
The application must arrive at Aalborg University with the morning post by the 11.5.2009.
Application is to be forwarded to :
Aalborg Universitet
De Ingeniør-, Natur- og Sundhedsvidenskabelige Fakulteter
Niels Jernes Vej 10
DK-9220 Aalborg Øst