.The project “Biological Production of Adipic Acid from Biomass-derived Sugars” is included in the “Biomass-to-Biochemicals Program”, which is funded for a period of 3 years by the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). This project will focus on engineering a synthetic pathway in yeast host for adipic acid production. The main work will include engineering of the key enzymes, blocking the side pathway by gene deletion and optimizing the adipic acid synthetic pathway.

Positions: Scientist I (Industrial Biotechnology)
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education: PhD in Molecular Biotechnology / Enzyme Engineering / Synthetic Biology.
Skills: Good team-working skills, problem solving skills and writing & speaking English skills; good communication skills and an ability to work independently; ability to supervise & train Research Engineer and industrial attachment students ensuring safe working practices.
Experience: Experiences with novel gene identification, gene cloning and over-expression in different hosts (E. coli and yeast), enzyme engineering, synthetic biology. Experiences with enzyme engineering or synthetic biology in biomass-to-biochemicals area are preferred.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Conduct independent & collaborative research in the research area such as “enzyme engineering” and “synthetic biology”; Work closely with a multi-disciplinary team in the project; Being responsible for reporting research progress and achieving the objectives of the project; Supervise Research Engineer (research assistant) and industrial attachment students ensuring safe working practices.

Interested candidates are invited to e-mail their Curriculum Vitae (CVs) and three references to Dr. Liu Zhibin at liu_zhibin@ices.a-star.edu.sg.

The successful applicant is required to start the work as soon as possible and will be offered contract until the end of the grant period