AddressDepartment of Biology
These positions are part of a new 24-month BBSRC-funded project “Engineering insects for novel food/feed and waste management.” The aim is to develop, through synthetic biology, novel strains of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, BSF) tailored to specific food/feed/waste-management applications.
Insects are highly efficient feed converters with enormous potential for low-carbon food production, also waste-management if using waste as feedstock. Direct use for humans at scale remains a marketing challenge, but major applications including fish and poultry feed, and pet food, are already available. Additionally, some insects can be reared effectively on low-value organic waste, converting a wide range of input material into insect biomass. BSF has increasingly garnered international attention for its exceptional ability to bio-convert nutrient-poor organic waste feed into body mass suitable for animal consumption and fertilisers for plants. As the use of BSF larvae as animal feed is relatively new, research has naturally focused on testing the range of substrates it can utilise as food and optimising mass rearing methods for bioconversion efficiency. However, there is only so much one can do with selective breeding and mass rearing - fundamental biological limitations will still apply despite having the best genetics and rearing protocol.
In short, BSF has enormous potential but wild-type insects are not ideal for all applications – this proposal aims to develop a platform and prototypes for rational engineering of BSF. This has a wide range of potential applications, of which we will develop two as practical examples - to expand the range of input material it can utilise, and to adjust the composition of the insect to add value to harvested product.
Nominal start date is April 2024 but potentially negotiable.
Role
The core of the project is to develop and test components, modules and systems for these novel strains in insect cell culture and transgenic flies. Correspondingly, the main component of the role is insect genetic studies (analysis of construct performance in insect cell culture, development of new transgenic/gene edited strains, rearing and colony maintenance, phenotypic analysis, experimental design and statistical analysis). Additional responsibilities include communicating progress and data including assisting with manuscript preparation.
Skills, Experience & Qualification needed
- HNC, HND, Degree, or equivalent experience in a relevant biological science
- Ability to perform complex technical tasks to a consistent high standard with attention to detail, conforming with relevant safety regulations and procedures
- Experience of working with insects or cell culture (preferably insect cell culture)
- Dependable, reliable and self-motivated; good interpersonal skills; able to work as part of a team
Interview date: to be confirmed
For informal enquiries: please contact Prof Luke Alphey (luke.alphey@york.ac.uk)
The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.
We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.
We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork
