Compulsory internship contract – 6 months | Fulltime/40h | From 01.07.2024 on | Belvaux

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies.

https://www.list.lu/

You‘d like to contribute as an intern? Join our Environmental Research and Innovation department

The Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) department, made up of 200 life science, environmental science and information technology researchers and engineers, provides the interdisciplinary knowledge, expertise and technologies to lead solutions including the major environmental challenges facing society, such as climate change mitigation, ecosystem resilience, sustainable energy systems, efficient use of renewable resources, and environmental pollution prevention and control.

How will you contribute?

The primary aim of this research project is the discovery of new bioactive metabolites and chemical scaffolds of fungal origin for future biotechnological applications. This will be achieved primarily by culturing and extracting metabolites from an “uncommon” fungal strain isolated in Luxembourg. Preliminary work with this fungus has demonstrated that its metabolite extracts present pronounced antibiotic activity. Besides, this fungal species is unique because it never studied before, which increase the chances of its bioactive molecules and chemical scaffolds be completely novel.

This internship is proposed to be developed in a 6-months project. The intern will:

1. Culture the new fungal species
2. Prepare crude metabolite extracts for biological activity tests
3. Carry out antibacterial activity assays using the obtained crude metabolite extracts
4. Determine the minimum active dose of the bioactive crude extracts
5. Carry out the first steps to attempt purify and identify the bioactive molecule(s)

At the end of the 6-months internship the student is expected to have acquired knowledge and experience in microbial (fungi and bacteria) as well as basic skills in metabolite extract production and handling.

The interested students should contact Dr Silas VILLAS-BOAS (e-mail: silas.villas-boas@list.lu). More information about the supervisor can be found at: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0148-5882

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply now!

Education

Master training programme in a relevant discipline such as biochemistry or equivalent

Experience and skills

• Basic knowledge of microbiology, biochemistry, and chemistry is essential
•  Previous laboratory experience will be an advantage
• Good knowledge of English

Your LIST benefits

• An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects;
• Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society;
• Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations such as our Viswall, high-scale incubators and top of the range 3D/4D printings that are part of our toolkit for excelling in all we do;
• Multicultural and international work environment with more than 45 nationalities represented in our workforce; 
• Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions;
• Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science;
• 32 days’ paid annual leave for a full time internship, 11 public holidays per annum, flexible working hours,
• An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas.

Apply online

https://www.list.lu/en/jobs/interns/

Your application must include a motivation letter oriented towards the position and detailing your experience

Application procedure and conditions:

• We kindly request applicants to provide their nationality for statistical purposes only, as part of our commitment to promoting diversity and ensuring equal opportunities in our workforce. This information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any discriminatory purposes.
• LIST is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to hiring and retaining diverse personnel. We value all applicants and will consider all competent candidates for employment without regard to national origin, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, age or disability;
•  Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled;
• An assessment committee will review the applications and select candidates based on guidelines that aim to ensure equal opportunities; 
• The main criteria for selection will be the correspondence of the existing skills and expertise of the applicant with the requirements mentioned above.