Erasmus Mundus EU-SATURN (European - South African programme in Tuning for Regional Needs in higher education) is a mobility programme of the European Union that provides scholarships for South African Masters and PhD students and staff to spend a period of study/research at one of the European consortium universities. The second call for applications are currently open.
Applications from suitable candidates are invited for a shared PhD position tenable in the groups of Prof Erick Strauss (Dept of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, South Africa) and Prof Gerrit Poelarends (Dept Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Netherlands).
Project: The successful applicant will undertake a project aimed at the development of a biocatalytic process for the production of antimicrobial compounds that target coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis and utilization. This will entail the development of two new biocatalysts by engineering the substrate specificity of two pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) biosynthetic enzymes through a combination of rational and selection approaches. Core skills to be developed during the course of the study are plasmid-based DNA manipulation (molecular biology), protein expression and purification, enzyme assay development, analytical chemistry, basic synthetic organic chemistry, and bacterial inhibition studies.
Procedure: The successful applicant will register for a PhD degree at Stellenbosch University in 2014, and commence research in the Dept of Biochemistry. He/she will subsequently be assisted in lodging an application for an EU-SATURN scholarship; if successful, the student will travel to Groningen to spend 22 months in the Dept Pharmaceutical Biology, after which they will return to Stellenbosch to complete their studies. The total period study is expected to be 36 to 48 months, and opportunities to obtain a double PhD (Stellenbosch/Groningen) could be explored.
Requirements: An MSc in Biochemistry/Microbiology/Chemistry, with experience in the preparation of expression vectors (DNA amplification, ligation, site-directed mutagenesis) and/or enzymology (heterologous protein expression, purification and kinetic characterisation). A knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry will be advantageous but is not essential.
Enquiries: Interested persons may contact either Prof Strauss or Prof Poelarends by email at estrauss@sun.ac.za or g.j.poelarends@rug.nl for more information.
Application and Deadline: Applicants should submit a detailed CV (including academic record), a motivational statement (350 words max), and the names of two contactable references, to estrauss@sun.ac.za. Candidates who are in the process of finalizing their MSc degrees but have not yet obtained the degree should include a letter from their supervisor confirming that all processes will be completed in time to allow them to register for a PhD degree in 2014. The deadline for applications is 6 December 2013 at 17h00 (CAT). Successful applicants will be contacted by 20 December 2013, and should be prepared to start their studies in Stellenbosch no later than 30 January 2014.
Note: In the case of the chosen candidate being unsuccessful in their application for an EU-SATURN scholarship, the PhD degree will be be completed at Stellenbosch University. However, alternative funding opportunities for travel to Groningen will be explored.
Contact name: Prof Erick Straus
Contact E-mail adress: estrauss@sun.ac.za
Phone: 021 808 5866
