WISMET will serve as a networking and mentoring collective to support female researchers in microbial electrochemistry and electromicrobiology. For more information on the WISMET seminars, or to become part of the list, head over to the WISMET seminar community page!
The first talk will be on the 14th May 2021 at 2 pm (CEST), where Ezgi Ogun will bring a seminar titled “Utilization of bioelectrochemical mechanisms in environmental engineering applications: treatment and remediation examples.”
We are seeking applicants for a 2-year postdoc in sensor development at the Department of Biology at Aarhus University (Denmark). The applicant will work on a research project funded by the Grundfos Foundation aiming at developing advanced sensing technologies for environmental application.
You are expected to contribute to the development and validation of electrochemical and/or bio-electrochemical sensors for the detection of organic and/or inorganic species of environmental interest. Areas of development include, but are not limited to: amperometric, potentiometric sensors, and biosensors (both whole-cell based and enzymatic), as well as micro-miniaturization of existing technologies for environmental applications. You are also expected to contribute to the use of the developed sensors in various natural and man-made systems such as sediments and wastewater.
Applicants should hold a PhD in Chemistry, Environmental sciences, Biotechnology or alike.
The ideal candidate has a strong background in chemo- or bio-sensor development. Ideally, the candidate can demonstrate experience in developing stand-alone sensor systems including their analytical evaluation. Experience in data analysis and programming will be an advantage. It is expected that the applicant has experience in publishing scientific results in leading journals within the fields of chemistry or environmental science. Additionally, it is important that the candidate can work well within interdisciplinary teams and has a high level of self-motivation. Previous teaching experience will be appreciated but is not necessary. Fluent communication in English both in written and spoken language is essential and is expected by any suitable candidate.
Institution contact information
Sensor Lab – Centre for Water Technology (WATEC; https://watec.au.dk), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark
Contact email address
Deadline
17-05-2021
External link
https://www.au.dk/om/stillinger/job/postdoc-in-sensor-development/
The Center for Electromicrobiology, Aarhus University, invites applications for a 2-year postdoc position for studies of electron transport in cable bacteria. The position is available with start from 1 June 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter (no later than October 2021).
The postdoc will engage in the question of how internal electric wires of cable bacteria conduct electrons and connect with metabolic processes. The exact focus and approaches will be flexible, depending on the background, ideas, and network of the applicant.
The Center for Electromicrobiology, CEM (http://cem.au.dk), Aarhus University, Denmark
lpn@bio.au.dk
15-03-2021
Balancing microbial redox metabolism using electrode decouples the carbon and electron fluxes for biochemical synthesis, and thus enables the high yield bioproduction process that naturally does not exist. Within the joint DFG SPP2240 project ePseudomonas together with Prof. Wittmann (iSbio, Saarland University, Germany), we aim to develop a universal tunable electro-fermentation platform using metabolically engineered Pseudomonas putida for the biosynthesis of high-value chemicals of industrial interests. To realize this ambitious goal, we are seeking an enthusiastic person to fill a PhD position funded by this project. The student will primarily focus on the fundamental and quantitative understanding of the Pseudomonas putida’s behaviors in the bioelectrochemical system (BES), using e.g. systems biology tools, and then rationally optimize the electro-fermentation process from the aspects of e.g. the process engineering and systems metabolic engineering.
Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH – UFZ
Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig
Dr. Jens Olaf Krömer (jens.kroemer@ufz.de)/Dr. Bin Lai (bin.lai@ufz.de)
14-02-2021
https://recruitingapp-5128.de.umantis.com/Vacancies/2075/Description/2
The SENTRY Client Manager is tasked with interpreting and relaying the value (energy savings, increased performance, etc.) created by SENTRY sensors installed at treatment facilities to the operators of these facilities. SENTRY is a cutting-edge technology providing real time biological information to treatment plant operations for process improvement and increased consistency. We are looking for someone who is personable and client focused. The Client Manager at SENTRY Water Technologies provides technical support to clients associated with the deployment and usage of SENTRY equipment (www.sentrywatertech.com) in the water and wastewater space. This role is critical for the deployment of SENTRY systems.
The Client Manager will work closely with senior technical team members (engineers and scientists) in order to accomplish the following tasks:
Degree in engineering or equivalent technical degree.
Head Office is in Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
08-12-2020
Electro-Active is looking for a Bioelectrochemical Engineer to assist with the scale up of our microbial electrolysis system for sustaining high levels of hydrogen production from food waste. The position will lead and assist in the execution of experiments to optimize reactor operation and performance across different scales and reactor designs. The ideal candidate will have a highly successful academic record, experience in laboratory work related to microbiology/biochemical engineering, high attention to detail, and the capability to undertake independent research tasks. An interest in sustainability and next-generation renewable energy technology as well as desire to work in a dynamic, fast-pace startup environment is a plus.
JOB OVERVIEW
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in an engineering or science discipline (e.g. Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Engineering,).
Interested candidates please submit a resume and cover letter to aborole@electroactive.tech. Location: Knoxville, TN. Relocation package will be provided. The position will remain open until filled. Candidates with less experience may be considered for internship positions.
Knoxville TN USA
12-31-2020
We are looking back to our first VIRTUAL ISMET conference, which took place October 7th-9th. Despite all current restrictions in getting together, the ISMET community enjoyed an inspiring exchange of new research outcomes and ideas during this meeting of around 300 scientists with great talks and poster presentations.
We thank our organizers Catarina Paquete, Fernanda Jimenéz-Otero and Lucinda Doyle for taking on this challenge and managing a conference with around 18 time zones.
For the next year, we nevertheless hope to continue our in-person meetings at our regional conferences.
The ISMET community warmly congratulates Dario Shaw for obtaining the 2020 ISMET Discovery Award for his work on an electro-annamox process (Nature Communications 2020) and Xi Chen for receiving the 2020 ISMET Innovation Award for her work on spontaneous hydrogen evolution in BES (Energy and Environmental Science 2020).
Dario is a PhD student in the group of Pascal Saikaly at the Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia and Xi Chen is Postdoc in Jason Ren’s lab at Princeton University.
Dario Shaw et al. (2020). “Extracellular electron transfer-dependent anaerobic oxidation of ammonium by anammox bacteria”, Nat. Commun. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-16016-y
Xi Chen et al. (2019). “Electrical decoupling of microbial electrochemical reactions enables spontaneous H2 evolution” Energy Env. Science; https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/ee/c9ee02571e#!divAbstract
Congratulations to both! Well done!
Microbial electrogenesis, i.e., the production of electricity from organic compounds such as those found in wastes or marine sediments – and microbial electrosynthesis – the electrotrophic storage of electricity into organic energy storage molecules, are two prime application goals for microbial electrochemical technologies. Recent findings illustrate the possibility of combining electrotrophy and electrogenesis in one, switchable electrode-grown biofilm. This opportunity opens new ways to combine bioelectrochemical energy storage and power generation in a single device.
What are the mechanisms of the underlying metabolic processes, and how is the electrotrophic and electrogenic metabolism coupled with the extracellular electron transfer that connects cellular processes with the electrode? Single investigation methods, such as voltammetry or spectroscopy alone, will not allow achieve sufficient information depth. In collaboration with the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC – and by using sophisticated in operando techniques, such as differential electrochemical mass spectrometry – this research project aims to study the mechanisms of such switchable biofilms.
Applications should be sent by e-mail (keyword “ONR-Project”) to Uwe Schröder (uwe.schroeder(at)tu-braunschweig.de), and must contain the following documents.
– Motivation Letter including contact information for two references
– Curriculum Vitae including complete address, phone number, email address, educational background, language skills, and work experience-
– Copies of diploma and transcript of grades in original language and in English or German translation
– Additional documents should be provided on request
– All documents should be in PDF format, preferably in a single file. Personal data and documents relating to the application process will be stored electronically. Please note that application costs cannot be refunded.
The open position is to be filled as soon as possible. The employment will be arranged by the administration of the TU Braunschweig (salary TVL E13, including health insurance, 1.5 years contract).
Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
Institute of Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry
uwe.schroeder@tu-braunschweig.de
20.10.2020
https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/en/oekochemie/job-offers/postdoc
The University of Bremen is offering (under the condition of job release) at the earliest possible date:
Ph.D. position in bioelectrochemical enrichment of metals
Salary group 13 TV-L (75 %), 36 months
in an interdisciplinary project at the interface of microbiology, electrochemistry and material sciences. The motivation of this PhD project is the search for new technological approaches for the extraterrestrial fabrication of metal alloys under tough environmental constraints, in particular the limitation of utilizing mineral and energy resources available in situ on Mars or Moon. More specifically, the project aims at exploring bio-based possibilities to extract iron species from regolith and enrich them as purified iron compounds. These compounds are then used in steel-making processes based on non-conventional metallurgy. In this sub project, microbial electrochemical technologies such as microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) will be used for enhanced production and selective recovery of metal ion species. Microbial communities developing in MFCs will be characterized using state-of-the-art tools such as high-throughput sequencing, metagenomics and metatranscriptomics.
Within the new research initiative in close collaboration with the Hochschule Bremen (HSB), Ph.D. students are supervised by a team of experienced scientists ranging from electrochemistry, material sciences to microbiology and biomimetics. Additional training and support are offered by international graduate Programmes within the MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes, the MarMic Graduate School and the Biomimetic-Innovation-Centre (HSB). These offers include expert as well as skills and methods courses, coaching, networking opportunities, and the opportunity to compete for internal funds. Ph.D. students have the opportunity to acquire expert knowledge in their field and a solid background across many disciplines involved in the interdisciplinary project.
Specific tasks will include:
1. Setting up and running novel microbial electrochemical enrichments
2. Characterization of metal ions and solid metal compounds by chemical and spectroscopic methods
3. Extraction and analysis of nucleic acids from bioreactor samples
4. Investigation and optimization of conversion efficiency and energy demands
5. Bioinformatic and statistical analysis of data
6. Opportunity for scientific qualification in the context of a PhD degree
Your profile:
• A completed MSc or diploma degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Electrochemistry, Material Sciences or a comparable program
• Interest in interdisciplinary research
• Interest in developing new methods for microbial fuel cell technology
• Skills in (bio)informatics would be advantageous
• Working in teams, visiting collaboration partners
The goal of the MAPEX is the system-oriented research and development of materials and processes for sustainable transport and energy applications. The centre merges the know-how of more than 1000 scientific and technical staff, 480 of which are doctoral candidates, active in the fields of natural and engineering sciences as well as mathematics and aiming at a thorough understanding of the process-properties-performance relationships in materials.
MarMic is the International Max-Planck-Research School (IMPRS) with a focus on marine microbiology at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology. Since its foundation in 2005 the Biomimetics-Innovation-Centre at the Hochschule Bremen has been coordinating research activities in the fields of fundamental interdisciplinary research and development.
The University of Bremen follows a diversity strategy. It strives to increase the number of women in the academy and strongly encourages applications from suitably qualified female candidates. International applications and applications of academics with a migration background are explicitly welcome. Disabled persons with the same professional and personal qualifications will be given preference. The employment is fixed-term and governed by the Act of Academic Fixed-Term Contract, §2 I (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz – WissZeitVG). Therefore, candidates may only be considered for appointment if they still have the respective qualification periods available in accordance with § 2 (1) WissZeitVG.
We look forward to receiving your e-mail application in English including CV, letter of motivation, and reference contacts!
Information regarding the open PhD position can be obtained by contacting
Sven Kerzenmacher (Bioelectrochemistry; Kerzenmacher@uvt.uni-bremen.de)
Michael Friedrich (Microbiology; Michael.friedrich@uni-bremen.de)
Jan-Henning Dirks (Biomimetics; jan-henning.dirks@hs-bremen.de)
15-09-2020