Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science
Leading Research Group BioActiv at UPWr welcomes expressions of interest from experienced researchers (PhD holders) to apply jointly to the EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2021 (MSCA-PF-2021).
BioActiv Leading Research Group
Expertise of BioActiv Leading Research Group
- biocatalytic preparation of natural compounds with determination of their biological activity;
- studies on the influence of compounds, including chirality, on biological activity as well as interactions with biological membranes (liposomes) and biomolecules (proteins, glutathione, DNA);
- preparation of products with potential use as dietary supplements and nutraceuticals in the pharmaceutical, agri-food and cosmetics industries;
- sustainable management of agri-food by-products.
The main goal of the proposed postdoctoral fellowship is to develop an innovative process of biotechnological production of natural vanillin by using the Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) culture method on lignocellulosic agri-food by-product or waste rich in ferulic acid (linseed cake, brewer’s spent grain, corn cobs). The biocatalysts are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) microorganisms showing the ability to efficiently bioconvert ferulic acid into vanillin. The project provides for research on the optimization with the use of statistical optimization techniques. An additional aim of the research is an attempt to solve the problem of managing the post-fermentation medium obtained in the process of vanillin biosynthesis, by determining the possibility of their use as a product for feeding animals. The result of the project is the development of an optimized process of vanillin biosynthesis on a pilot scale in laboratory conditions.
Eligibility *
- The postdoctoral fellows must hold a doctoral degree (no longer than 8 years prior 15. September 2021 - the call deadline).
- Periods of inactivity in research (e.g. unemployment, periods of employment outside research, parental or sick leave) do not count towards the time of research experience.
- The postdoctoral fellow may be of any nationality. No age restrictions apply.
- The postdoctoral fellow cannot have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Poland for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the call.
(*) Information still subject to change. The final MSCA Work Programme is not published yet.
Pre-application procedure
Interested applicants are invited to send the expression of interest consisting of:
- a one-page cover letter outlining research area, project idea and how he/she could contribute to research profile of BioActiv
- a CV (including a publication list)
Please send the expression of interest by 30th May 2021 to filip.boratynski@upwr.edu.pl
If you have any administrative questions, please contact the International Research Office at UPWr: international.research@upwr.edu.pl
Successful applicants will develop his/her MSCA-PF proposal with an experienced supervisor. Proposal writing workshop is also planned for the second part of June 2021. Additionally, individual consultations and review of the MSCA-PF proposal will be offered.
