ABOUT CRAG:

CRAG is an independent research institution engaged in leading-edge basic and applied plant and farm animal sciences. CRAG is established as a Consortium of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), and University of Barcelona (UB). The Center is located at the UAB Campus, and currently hosts 200 members from across the world.

Research Programs at CRAG (from basic science to applied research using plant experimental model systems, crops and farm animals) make extensive use of genomic technologies and large sets of genetic and genomic data (http://biennialreport2018-2019.cragenomica.es/).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

We are looking for a technician for a short-term project to transform already cloned luciferase containing plasmids into microalgae to test their activities and protein expressions.

Work: Microalgae transformation, Luciferase activity test, Protein expression test

Background:

Utilizing bioluminescent organisms to illuminate homes or architectural structures is ideal for a clean and sustainable system. However, the bioluminescence must endure for extended periods without human intervention to create practical bioluminescent architecture. Although bacteria can produce light through bioconversion, their luminescence does not last for long periods.

To overcome the limited bioluminescent duration and achieve a more sustainable solution, we plan to develop an architecture incorporating a microalgae-based bioluminescent system. Microalgae are unicellular, photosynthetic organisms that exhibit significantly higher CO2 fixation efficiency than terrestrial trees, absorbing several hundred times more CO2 gas within the same volume of space. Due to this capability, researchers have attempted to execute projects aimed at CO2 elimination using microalgae. By leveraging these advantages, our objective is to engineer microalgae capable of producing bioluminescence for both CO2 removal and biolight functionality.

The project is link to the project “The creation of a multipurpose, multifunctional and multiscale system for activate sustainability and beauty, to be applied on art, architecture and design, with bioluminescence genetically modified  mocroalgae” (BioLumCity)

REQUIREMENTS:

Educational requirements: Degree in Biology, Biochemistry or Biotechnology

Skills: We look for candidates with basic knowledge in plant molecular biology

Experience: Experience in microalgae transformation, microalgae culture will be positively valued.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Contract Duration: 5 months

Hours/week: 10h/week

SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS:

Please submit all the application through CRAG website: http://www.cragenomica.es/jobs 

CRAG is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission. All candidates will be considered qualified for the job without restrictions of gender, race, nationality or disability.

Interested candidates must submit the following documents: 

-       Curriculum vitae

-       A motivation letter, including a brief summary of work experience (1 pages maximum).