KOREA: Postdoctoral And Graduate Scholarship Energy and Environment Fusion Technology

Energy and Environment Fusion Technology Centre (E2FTC) Myongji University South Korea
4 Postdoctoral and 6 Graduate students (PhD and combined MS/PhD applicants in Graduate Program of Energy Technology) positions are available under the Energy and Environment Fusion Technology Center (E2FTC) and Graduate Program of Energy Technology.

E2FTC of Myongji University is funded by University Key Research Center Program managed by National Research Foundation of Korea for next 9 years with majors in microbiology, biochemistry, biochemical engineering, catalytic reaction engineering, polymeric membranes, inorganic membrane application related with a production of biofuels and biorefinery products.
Aims of E2FTC: Development of fusion technology for the production of biofuels (biobutanol and biogasoline) and biochemical products with biological and chemical processes
1) Development of pretreatment technology for the production of biobutanol from biomass
2) Fermentation and production of 1,3-Propanediol and butanol, or other biochemicals(molecular biology)
3) Dehydration inorganic membrane for the fermentation broth
4) Integration of biological fermentation and membrane separation
5) catalytic hydrogenation of fatty acid into alcohol(chemical engineers)
6) Catalytic conversion from biomass into biochemicals or bioenergy or inorganic membrane or polymeric chemistry or nanotechnology
7) Phosphorous removal by advanced Physicochemical method(Water and wastewater treatment expert starting on May 1st, 2010)
Dear Applicants:
Prof Chung, Director of E2FTC research centre (started on September 1, 2009), invite highly qualified international applicants in above areas for foreign research postdoctoral position in E2FTC research centre at Myongji University.
Along with this, I am also searching international candidates in the above areas for foreign PhD and combined MS/PhD program funded by E2FTC research center under the graduate program of Energy Technology at Myongji University, South Korea. The positions will be opened on fall semester, September 1, 2010.
The quality of PhD and PhD-pursuing candidates, who have achieved their educational training and academic careers in foreign countries, is vital for our E2FTC research center and department to widen our international interactions and provide our graduate students in both academic research and scientific training.
Postdoctoral Position:
Postdoctoral position can be started on Sep 1, 2010 except for Environmental engineer (Water and wastewater treatment expert) starting on May 1st, 2010. The average annual salary will be between 24,000,000 and 32,400,000 KRW (Korean Won) for 1 to 3 years depending on your qualifications. Right now, the money exchange rate is 1,140 KRW for one US dollar. In addition, other insurances including medical insurance will be supported. For example, the average monthly cost for our dormitory room and board including meals will be 200,000 KRW.
Additional information for postdoctoral positions:
1) The appointment is a 1 to 3 years contract.
2) We offer a competitive salary, which will be determined based on candidate’s qualifications.
3) The contract will cover a national medical insurance plan.
4) It is mandatory to carry out your own experimental works along with guiding graduate students.
5) The post doctoral fellows are also responsible for paper publications under the guidance of Professor Wookjin Chung, except one biology related post doctoral fellow who will be working with Professor Deokjin Jhang’.
6) It is primarily a research postdoctoral position funded by the University Key Research Center program of Korean Ministry of Education and Science
7) Extra incentive bonus will be available for publication of research papers.
Dormitory housing or off campus housing is available.
9) One way of economy class airfare to Korea for relocation will be reimbursed.
We are searching 4 candidates (PhD) for postdoctoral position in the following areas: microbiology with fermentation, molecular biology for cell line selection, biochemical engineering, applied chemistry, chemical engineering, polymeric membrane, inorganic membrane, catalytic reaction with nanocatalyst for the production of biofuels and biorefinery products using chemical and biochemical, separation processes.
PhD and Combined MS/PhD applicants in Graduate Program of Energy Technology:
Successful applicants for Graduate Program of Energy Technology (opened on Fall Semester from 1 September, 2010) will get full tuition scholarship (11,000,000 KRW). The applicants will also get personal expenses for room and board, and other personal livings will be supported from faculty research funds between 600,000 and 800,000 KRW as your monthly salaries depending on your program applied. Right now, the money exchange rate is 1,140 KRW for one US dollar. We are encouraging most of applicants to apply for PhD program or combined program. For example, the average monthly cost for our dormitory room and board including meals will be 200,000 KRW.
Qualifications:
1) PhD. degree for postdoctoral position, MS or BS degree for graduate program
2) Good research activities and motivations in these areas
3) Proficiency in English writing for International Journal (SCI)
Application materials required:
Applicants are required to submit the following:
1) A cover letter (including contact information)
2) Copy of your recent photo
3) Curriculum vitae including lists of publications, research activities, and courses taught
4) Autobiography
5) Copies of selected publications
6) Copy of Passport
7) One letter of recommendation by adviser (Later, that will be asked by Professor Chung)
Copy of employment certificate (if any)

Application Procedure:
The application materials have to be sent to Professor Chung’s address by April 10, 2010, either electronically or by mail. The mailing address is
Professor Wookjin Chung
Director of Energy and Environment Fusion Technology Center (E2FTC)
Graduate program of Energy Science and Technology
Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology
Myongji University
San 38-2, Nam-dong, Cheoin-gu, Yongin
Gyeonggido, 449-728, Republic of Korea
Successful candidates will be contacted by Professor Chung or by Dr. Saurabh Saran and asked to provide additional information and materials, such as transcripts, degree certificates, and visa-related materials.
-The final decision will be made by April 30, 2010.
- Please contact to the following address for more information:
Professor Wookjin Chung
Graduate program of Energy Science and Technology
Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology
Myongji University
San 38-2, Nam-dong, Cheoin-gu, Yongin
Gyeonggido, 449-728, Republic of Korea
E-mail: wookjin0828@gmail.com
Phone: 82-31-330-6687 (Off)

Dr. Saurabh Saran
Research Professor
Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology
Myongji University
San 38-2, Nam-dong, Cheoin-gu, Yongin
Gyeonggido, 449-728, Republic of Korea
E-mail: saurabhsaran@gmail.com
Phone: 82-31-330-6687 (Off); 82-10-7211-1980 (Cell)

About Myongji University:
With a diverse history spanning over sixty years, Myongji University founded in 1948 has evolved into a leading academic institution of higher learning, admirably living up to its founding spirit of ‘Love, Truth, and Service.’ Encompassed in a picturesque and natural setting, our vibrant and eminent faculty, cutting edge education and research, and our internationalized student body have played an essential role in bringing forth competent intellectuals.
Myongji University is comprised of two campuses. Our Seoul Campus is located minutes away from the economic, political, and cultural centers of Seoul’s metropolitan downtown. An hour drive away in Yongin, enshrouded in a beautiful and natural setting is our Yongin Campus. Our E2FTC research center and department are located in Yongin Campus.
Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology includes 11 Faculty members and 60 graduate students (Half of them are foreign graduate students). This department and E2FTC have lots of sophisticated equipments (fermentor, anaerobic gas chambers, gas permeation equipment, coating machine, perevaporation unit, FTIR, TGA, GC-MS, LC-MS, ICP-MS, Pilot fermenter, spinning process, GC, HPL, IC PCR and molcular biology related equipments).
We are expanding our graduate program of Energy Science and Technology which was opened on March1, 2010 with a cooperation of E2FTC and Environmental Engineering program.
In Professor Chung’s Lab, more than 7 international papers are being published in each year. We have 10 Ph D graduate students, 2 research professors, 4 postdoctoral research fellows, 6 private researchers. Right now, we are dealing with 3 membrane-related projects: Mixed matrix membrane for the recovery of butanol, liquid supported pervaporation membrane, ionic liquid supported membrane, Biomass pretreatment for butanol production, fermentation and production of butanol and butanol recovery.
And also, we are expanding our research areas into:
1) Development of pretreatment technology for the production of biobutanol from biomass
2) Anaerobic Clostridium fermentation for the production butyric acid and butanol
3) Clostridium strain development with chemical mutagen and molecular biotechnology
4) Organophilic pervaporation membrane for the recovery of butanol
5) Dehydration inorganic membrane from the alcohol fermentation broth
6) Integration of biological fermentation and membrane separation
7) catalytic hydrogenation of fatty acid into alcohol
biogasoline production from biomass using catalytic reaction with nanocatalyst and catalytic process
9) biorefinery production by combined biological and chemical processes