Post Doctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 18 months in the first instance. 

An 18 months PDRA position to start on the 1st April 2023 is available in the group led by Professor Silvia Vignolini in the Bio-inspired photonic group to study biofilm formation and light management to optimize growth of microalgal cultures. 

The PRDA will be part of a multidisciplinary team aimed at establishing a novel platform for the production of lipids in microalgae. This is an innovation project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation under the Sinergia Program, and is a collaboration with the groups of Michael Studer (University of Bern, Switzerland), Alexander Mathys (ETH Zürich, Switzerland) and Alison Smith (University of Cambridge, Dept of Plant Science). We will be combining our expertise in four different areas to optimise algal growth and lipid production, pulse electric field for lipid extraction and microbial consortia to utilise waste lignocellulosic feedstocks. 

The PDRA will work in the group of Prof Silvia Vignolini to carry out work to establish biofilms of microalgae on customised membranes in photobioreactors, both in the laboratory and in an outdoor facility, and then analyse the production of lipids and other metabolites at different layers in the biofilm, relating this to physical parameters such as delivery of nutrients, gas exchange and light provision. The successful candidate must have (or be about to obtain) a PhD in an appropriate field, and research experience in handling and culturing microalgae in the laboratory and at scale, algal physiology and metabolite analysis is essential. Experience of microscopy and spectroscopy would be desirable. As well as having the capacity to take a lead role in the design and execution of the research programme as required, they will be part of a team of engineers, physical chemists and molecular biologists and so must be able to communicate effectively. The PDRA will be expected to be involved in supporting junior scientists in the group. 

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/39400.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter and publications list in the upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

For queries relating to your application or the application process, please contact Professor Silvia Vignolini via email on sv319@cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference MA35322 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. 

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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