The Global Change Research Institute CAS seeks a researcher in microalgal biotechnology within the project “Deciphering the limits of photoautotrophic productivity – source and sink balance in ethylene-producing cyanobacteria”
Location: Global Change Research Institute CAS, Brno, Czech Republic
Department of Adaptive Biotechnologies
Contract offered: half-time (50%)
Begin: as early as possible, latest 31.10.2024
End: 28.2. 2027
Application deadline: 30.9. 2024
Job description:
The researcher will work within the Domain of Adaptive and Innovative Techniques in the Department of Adaptive Biotechnologies headed by Ing. Jan Červený, Ph.D. under the co-supervision of Mgr.Tomáš Zavřel, Ph.D.
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are an integral part of Earth’s biogeochemical cycles and also a promising renewable source of bio-products, utilizing atmospheric CO2 as a carbon source. However, sustainable industrial applications are still not widespread, partly due to the fact that the limits of phototrophic production at the level of light energy capture and processing are still unknown. The project will study metabolic fluxes in cyanobacteria strains with attenuated and completely removed metabolic pathways, as well as with incorporated pathways for autotrophic ethylene production. Ethylene is the most widely used substance in the chemical industry, and its production through a sustainable route is highly desirable. Cyanobacteria strains are already available, and the project will focus on characterizing light energy capture and utilization within photosynthetic processes, energy allocation to different metabolic pathways, and optimizing ethylene production in the studied strains. The research will be conducted in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the USA.