The Fondazione Edmund Mach is looking for 5 early stage researchers (ESR) - PhD positions in the frame of the project INTERFUTURE - From microbial interactions to new-concept biopesticides and biofertilizers, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network Action. Each of these positions is for a period of 36 months starting in May – June, 2017.
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (MSCA-ITN-EID) INTERFUTURE will train a new generation of scientists with complementary and interdisciplinary skills in Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Organic Chemistry, Molecular Biology. The main objectives of the research projects are:
The Fondazione Edmund Mach is looking for 5 early stage researchers (ESR) - PhD positions in the frame of the project INTERFUTURE - From microbial interactions to new-concept biopesticides and biofertilizers, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network Action. Each of these positions is for a period of 36 months starting in May – June, 2017.
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (MSCA-ITN-EID) INTERFUTURE will train a new generation of scientists with complementary and interdisciplinary skills in Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Organic Chemistry, Molecular Biology. The main objectives of the research projects are:
- to overcome bottlenecks in bio-based products application by exploring the ecology of microbe-host interaction at the community level;
- to improve existing microbial biofertilisers by unravelling the biology and exploiting the complementarities of nitrogen-fixing and growth-promoting bacteria;
- to exploit natural molecules to shape plant-beneficial microflora and improve plant resilience to disease;
- to develop novel volatile organic compounds of bacterial origin for the control of soilborne diseases;
- to design and develop innovative insect traps and trapping strategies based on the activity of kairomones produced by microorganisms.
Working place and duration
The selected candidates will be employed the first 18 months at Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM) as junior researcher (R4 CCPL) in the field of plant pathology, applied microbiology and entomology. Then, for the last 18 months they will be employed by an industrial partner as described in the announcement (Description of the positions).
General information regarding the 5 individual positions
1. ESR position 1 – “Novel biofertilisers based on endophytic bacteria. Innovative approaches to bridge plant- microbe interaction research and bio-product development”:
- Host Institute: Fondazione Edmund Mach (San Michele all’Adige, Italy)
- Secondment at: Desarrollo Agrícola y Minero, S.A.(Zaragoza, Spain)
- PhD Enrollment: University of Newcastle Upon Tyne (Newcastle, United Kingdom)
2. ESR position 2 – “Untapping the keg of microbial bioproducts using innovative approaches to cultivation. New bio-based products from plants”:
- Host Institute: Fondazione Edmund Mach (San Michele all’Adige, Italy)
- Secondment at: Desarrollo Agrícola y Minero, S.A.(Zaragoza, Spain)
- PhD Enrolment: University of Newcastle Upon Tyne (Newcastle, United Kingdom)
3. ESR position 4 – “Characterization of stimulators of the phyllosphere microbiota as innovative biocontrol products”:
- Host Institute: Fondazione Edmund Mach (San Michele all’Adige, Italy)
- Secondment at: BIPA (Londerzeel, Belgium)
- PhD Enrolment: University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (Reims, France)
4. ESR position 10 – “Development of a commercial liquid food trap with addition of bioactive microorganisms to improve attractiveness and specificity for Drosophila suzukii”:
- Host Institute: Fondazione Edmund Mach (San Michele all’Adige, Italy)
- PhD Enrolment: University of Molise (Campobasso, Italy)
- Secondment at: BioBest (Westerlo, Belgium)
5. ESR position 11 – “Conventional delivery strategies for bioproducts based on microbial bioproducts”:
- Host Institute: Fondazione Edmund Mach (San Michele all’Adige, Italy)
- Secondment at: Desarrollo Agrícola y Minero, S.A.(Zaragoza, Spain)
- PhD Enrolment: University of Newcastle Upon Tyne (Newcastle, United Kingdom)
Requirements necessary for participation
- Master degree in the field of Plant and Agricultural Sciences, Biology, Biotechnology;
- To be at the time of recruitment in the first four years of research career (full-time equivalent research experience*) calculated from the date on which the Master degree was obtained;
- Knowledge of written and spoken English (minimum level B2), evaluated during the interview.
* ‘Full-time equivalent research experience’ is measured from the date when the researcher obtained the degree entitling him/her to embark on a doctorate (either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited or seconded) – even if a doctorate was never started or envisaged.
Application
Applications must be submitted by and no later than 23:59 (CET, the date and time of receipt shown in the electronic mail account of the Foundation shall be valid) on April 2, 2017. The recruitment procedure will terminate at the latest by October 2, 2017.
Applications to participate in the selection must be sent in electronic format via e-mail address (NO PEC) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., indicating the recruitment code in the object of the email (227_CRI_IF R4 temporary interfuture). In cases of access issues due to disability, please contact +39 0461 615542.
To apply, please email the following documents to FEM (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.):
- Application form (AF) completed, signed and saved as Surname Name_AF.pdf. The template is provided in the webpage of the announcement.
- Curriculum vitae (CV), including contact details, education, work experience, technical and scientific publications, prizes/awards, language skills. The CV must be saved with file extension: Surname Name_CV.doc, or .pdf. The CV must include the following phrase, otherwise the candidature will not be taken into consideration: I agree to the handling of my personal data in accordance with D.lgs. 196/2003;
- PDF copy of the Master thesis. The thesis must be saved with file extension: Surname Name_MASTER.pdf;
- Official academic record of undertaken courses & grades Master degree.
- A motivational letter in which the applicant describes his or her motivation to pursue postgraduate studies and to conduct the research project applied for. The applicant is asked to mention the ESR position s/he apply for on the motivational letter. In case of application to multiple positions, the applicant is asked to motivate his interest in the projects selected.
- Contact details (email and telephone number) of three referees willing to write confidential letters of recommendation.
Picture credit: Fondazione Edmund Mach