Position in the project:	group leader (adjunct)
Scientific discipline:	biotechnology, microbiology, bioremediation, agriculture, environmental chemistry
Job type (employment contract/stipend):	employment contract
Number of job offers:	1
Remuneration/stipend amount/month (“X0 000 PLN of full remuneration cost, i.e. expected net salary at X 000 PLN”):	for a group leader max. 9 years after obtaining the PhD diploma – 15 000 PLN of full remuneration cost, i.e. expected net salary at 9 500 PLNorfor a group leader more then 9 years after obtaining the PhD diploma – 20 000 PLN of full remuneration cost, i.e. expected net salary at 12 500 PLN
Position starts on:	01.05.2020
Maximum  period of contract/stipend agreement:	36 months
Institution:	University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology / Warsaw
Project leader:	Prof. Wojciech Franus
Project title:	Fly ashes as the precursors of functionalized materials for applications in environmental engineering, civil engineering and agricultureProject is carried out within the TEAM-NET programme of the Foundation for Polish Science
Project description:	This TEAM-NET joint project assumes using fly ashes as a precursors for the synthesis of novel functionalized materials with the structure of not only zeolites, but also mesoporous silica materials and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Then produced materials will be tested for possible applications in agriculture, civil and environmental engineering. With the implementation of new technologies of coal combustion and flue gas treatment, new types of fly ashes with increased content of unburned carbon (up to 30%) have been produced. Such byproducts will be used in this project for the synthesis of novel zeolite-carbon composites. Previous work related to the use of this type of fly ashes was focused on the separate production of zeolites or activated carbons, which did not fully exploit the potential of the above-mentioned byproducts. Their use as a precursor to the synthesis of a zeolite-carbon-vermiculite composite in this project will also pave the way for developing a novel material to replace vermiculite raw materials in agricultural applications.In this joint project 6 independent subprojects/work packages (with separate budgets) will be conducted. Selected (in an open contest) group leaders will have their own budget (around 3,500,000 PLN for 36 months) for the creation of their own research group (two post-docs, two PhD students, technician and additional, part-time scientific stuff member) and to conduct researches in the particular topic.With this announcement we are looking for a group leader for the work-package #6 entitled “Production of biostimulants of crop plant growth and of composting process and production of bioinhibitors of phytopathogen growth based on functionalized materials derived from fly ash and bacterial inoculants”. The aim of WP #6 is to develop microbial biostimulants of crop plant growth and of biocomposting as well as biological inhibitors of phytopathogen growth. Strains selected from the culture collection of the University of Warsaw will be analyzed for their ability to survive in soil environment (including extreme conditions, e.g. low temperature). The influence of the application of microbial strains on plant biomass, plant resistance to unfavorable environmental conditions and phytopathogen growth in soil will also be analyzed. In the next stage, a process manual for the immobilization of selected strains on functionalized materials and on natural carriers (e.g. zeolites) will be developed.  The influence of carrier conditioning on the survival and activity of immobilized microorganisms will also be investigated. Experimental verification of biopreparations on the laboratory and pilot scales (pot experiments and micro-field/biocomposter experiments, respectively) will also be carried out. In addition, the effect of biopreparation application on the structure and biodiversity of the soil microbiome (both bacterial and fungal) will be determined.
Key responsibilities include:	1.   Development of microbial biostimulants of crop plant growth and biocomposting as well as biological inhibitors of phytopathogen development.2.   Establishing a detailed plan of the project.3.   Pre-commercialization of the developed inventions.4.   Preparing and writing scientific articles for international journals.5.   Preparing and writing patent application.6.   Collaboration with business and scientific partners.7.   Recruitment and management (planning and evaluation) of the team work.
Profile of candidates/requirements:	1.   The candidate may be a young scientist (max. 9 years after obtaining the PhD diploma) or an established scientist (more than 9 years after obtaining the PhD diploma). However, candidates representing each group will be scored independently during the first stage of the contest, to give equal chances for young scientists.   2.   The candidate must be experienced in the subject area of the work-package #6 (see above).3.   The candidate must be fluent in English (both speaking and writing).4.   The candidate must be an author of at least five scientific publications published in journals from the JCR list (including at least two articles as first/last/corresponding author).5.   Preferentially, the candidate should have an experience in obtaining funds for the researches from external project-funding agencies.