SUMMARY:
Signa Opportunity is recruiting unemployed youth for quality workplace experience through the Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative.
About the YES Initiative
The initiative was launched by the President in 2018 and is a partnership with the government and labour department to collectively devise a national plan to build economic pathways for South Africa’s youth by creating workplace opportunities for South African youth over a period of 12 months.
Position: Biotransformation Research Intern
Stipend: R5,500
Location: KZN (Pietermaritzburg)
POSITION INFO:
About the role
This exciting internship focuses on the application of immobilized enzyme technology for biotransformation processes, with a strong emphasis on the development and optimization of reaction parameters. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in biochemistry, biotechnology, chemical engineering, or a related field, and a keen interest in sustainable biotechnology.
Responsibilities
- Assist in the design and execution of experiments to determine reaction parameters for biotransformation of oils using immobilize enzymes.
- Develop and optimize key reaction parameters including:
- Temperature and pH.
- Substrate and enzyme concentrations.
- Reaction time.
- Stirring speed or mixing conditions.
- Solvent systems.
- Perform analytical assays to quantify substrate consumption and product formation.
- Evaluate the activity, stability, and reusability of immobilized enzymes.
- Document experimental procedures, results, and observations meticulously.
- Contribute to data analysis, interpretation, and presentation to the research team.
- Maintain a safe and organized laboratory environment.
Minimum Requirements
- South African Unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 34.
- Must not have participated on the YES programme before.
- Matric.
- Completed a MSc/ M Tech (or submitted dissertation), minimally a BSc Hon in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology, or a closely related discipline.
- Strong theoretical understanding of enzyme kinetics, biotransformation and enzyme immobilization.
- Some practical laboratory experience with enzyme assays and / or basic analytical techniques is highly desirable.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, critical thinking, attention to detail and a strong aptitude for experimental design and optimization.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a research team.
- Good communication skills (written and verbal) and attention to detail.
- A strong interest in sustainable industrial processes and biocatalysis.
Please consider your application unsuccessful when you have not heard from the Signa Opportunity team within two weeks of submitting your application.
