PhD-position | EcoFusion: Pioneering light, air, and nature for plastic and PFAS degradation and recycling
Description of project:
The goal of this project is to find a new and better way to deal with plastic and PFAS pollution. Right now, we often dispose of plastic in ways that harm the environment. The project suggests a new method to recycle plastics by creating a special enzyme that uses light, and air to break down plastics and PFAS in water. The primary aim of this project is to discover an improved method for upcycling these plastics and PFAS into valuable materials, aligning with the concept of a sustainable and closed-loop society. The innovative aspect of this initiative involves the utilization of specialized proteins capable of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon light exposure. These proteins are affixed to additional elements to facilitate sticking to plastic surfaces. This unique approach targets microplastics and aims to solve the pollution problem.
Background:
The group has experience with flavin enzymes and with the analysis of reactive oxygen species. Additionally the group has gained experience in surface analytics of plastics and the analysis of degradation products by NMR and MS/MS methods.
Research Objectives:
- Design and production of plastic and PFAS degrading enzymes.
- Analysis of the degradation products and elucidation of degradation mechanism.
- Utilization of the degradation products for the productions of novel chemicals.
Methods:
- Selection of potential enzyme candidates for the degradation of plastic and PFAS.
- Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli and subsequent isolation, purification and characterization of these enzymes.
- Testing on their degradation activities.
Where to apply:
Fachgebiet
Biological sciences, Biochemistry, Environmental science, Chemistry, Biotechnology
Arbeitgeber
Arbeitsstätte
Stunden
30
Antrittsdatum
01. September 2025
Bewerbungsfrist
30. Juni 2025
Kontakt
Cluster of Excellence: Circular Bioengineering
cb_managingdirector(at)boku.ac.at
014765475002
Sophie Schober
cb_managingdirector(at)boku.ac.at
014765475002