We are Austria’s largest research and technology organisation and an international player in applied research for innovative infrastructure solutions. This makes us a powerful development partner for industry and a top employer in the scientific community. Our Center for Health & Bioresources in Tulln (in immediate vicinity to Vienna) invites for applications for a:

PhD Thesis (m/f/d) Improving applications of filamentous fungi

IMAGINE

• The abilities and the metabolic products of filamentous fungi represent a crucial resource for a sustainable future of industry, society and agriculture. Millions of fungal species are estimated to remain undiscovered and their contributions to biological control of plant pathogens and as producers of valuable enzymes and compounds like antibiotics remain insufficiently leveraged.
• Therefore, it is important to improve the properties of fungi and their production in order to enhance shelf life, viability and applicability of fungi for agriculture and biotechnology.

ENGAGE

• In our project we aim to establish innovative technology for cultivation of fungi and producing spores. We will test these spores for increased viability and shelf life as well as high performance in biocontrol. Additionally, we will develop and validate the method of analysis of fungal responses to plants for high throughout using machine learning and artificial intelligence, which shall be the basis for establishing a diagnostic system for efficient biocontrol of novel isolates.
• You will work closely with our industrial partner, applying different techniques and you will bring new discoveries to industrial application.

ACHIEVE

• Your contribution shall lead to results directly applicable in industrial settings.
• You will create synergies among ongoing projects and increase the efficiency by collaboration.
• Your results can contribute to economic viability of biological control of plant diseases and to more sustainable industrial processes from chemical conversions to agriculture.

Your qualification as an Ingenious Partner:

• Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology or a related field
• Ideally you should have experience in common experimental techniques used in microbiology, fermentation and molecular biology
• Experience in working with filamentous fungi, especially in the field of gene regulation and omics techniques is a bonus
• Knowledge of bioinformatic techniques will be beneficial
• Working language will be English and the applicant is expected to be fluent and able to give talks and participate in writing publications

What to expect:

EUR 2.205,60 - gross per month for 30 hours/week, for 36 months. There will be additional company benefits. You will be part of our international AIT PhD community and participate in our AIT PhD framework program. As a research institution, we are familiar with the supervision and execution of PhD theses and we are looking forward to supporting you accordingly!

At AIT, the promotion of women is important to us - that's why we are especially looking forward to applications from female students.

TOMORROW TODAY - WITH YOU?

Please submit your application documents including CV, motivational letter and certificates online: https://jobs.ait.ac.at/Job/142107

For further information please contact:

Dr. Monika Schmoll, monika.schmoll@ait.ac.at