PhD in Biocatalysis (1.0 FTE)

14 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Groningen

Department

Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy

Research Field

Chemistry » Organic chemistry
Chemistry » Biochemistry
Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

15 Apr 2024 - 11:59 (Europe/Amsterdam)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE / ERC

Reference Number

101075934

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Are you enthusiastic about enzymes and tailoring them for applications in synthetic organic chemistry?

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic PhD student with strong backgrounds in chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology or closely related fields to join the research group of Dr Sandy Schmidt, (http://schmidt-researchgroup.com ) at the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology (https://www.rug.nl/research/grip/cpb/ ) within the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP). The position is funded for four years by the recently awarded ERC Starting grant ‘ReCNNSTRCT’ (GA no. 101075934).

Biocatalysis uses enzymes to replace traditional catalysts. This technology has already established sustainable enzymatic approaches across various industrial sectors and led to economic and environmental benefits. Despite the growing impact of biocatalysis in industrial chemistry, the full potential of this technology is yet to be unlocked. Important current limitations are the following: i) only a limited set of chemical reactions is amenable to biocatalysis; and ii) the unique enzymology encoded in the genome of organisms is yet only minimally explored.

In this context, we are interested in decoding novel reaction chemistries from the underexploited family of N-N bond-forming enzymes (NNZYMES), while tackling reactions that are difficult to realize by traditional chemical approaches and currently not feasible by enzyme catalysis. With this, we intend to build important molecules such as precursors for pharmaceuticals. A particular focus thereby lies on enzymes from natural product biosynthetic gene clusters that catalyze unique chemical reactions, but are tremendously underexplored as sustainable biocatalysts in the chemical industry. Although their native reactions have recently been investigated, the lack of knowledge on how these enzymes perform challenging reactions hinders a systematical exploration of their reactivity toward non-natural substrates and transformations.

To fill this knowledge gap, in this PhD project we will extend the toolbox of NNZYMES as novel biocatalysts to access various N-N bond-containing compounds. In the laboratory, we thereby combine bioinformatic analysis with enzyme biochemistry, organic chemistry, instrumental analysis, and protein engineering to elucidate diverse N-N bond-forming reaction chemistries.
The research group of Dr. Schmidt is embedded in the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology unit at the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, which provides an inspiring, interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry » Organic chemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Chemistry » Biochemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this project is an experimental chemist, with affinity or interest in biocatalysis, bioinformatics and protein engineering.

Your profile includes:

• a Master degree in chemistry, biotechnology, biochemistry or related field
• ability to work in an international team
• inter- and multidisciplinary thinking
• high motivation
• an integrative and cooperative personality with excellent communication and social skills
• fluency in English – written and oral.

Specific Requirements

Conditions of employment

We offer you, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• a salary of € 2,770 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,539 gross per month in the fourth and final year
• a full-time position (1.0 FTE)
• a holiday allowance of 8% of gross annual income
• an 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance.

The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected. A PhD training program is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.
The conditions of employment: https://www.rug.nl/about-us/work-with-us/

The planned starting date is June/July 2024, however, there is some flexibility in the starting date.

Application

You may apply until 15 April 11:59pm / before 16 April 2024 Dutch local time (CET) for this position by means of the online application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website).

Applications for the position should include (as a single PDF file):

• cover letter with background and motivation to apply for this position
• curriculum vitae, including details of Bachelor and Master degrees, lab work experience and a publication list, if applicable
• short description of previous research experience
• contact details of 2 references who can provide information on your suitability for the position.

The University of Groningen strives to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also our diversity policy webpage: https://www.rug.nl/(...)rsity-and-inclusion/

Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP): https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/nl/sollicitatiecode  and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code

We provide career services for partners of new faculty members moving to Groningen.

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Information

For information you can contact:

• Dr Sandy Schmidt, [email protected]

Please do not use the e-mail address(es) above for applications.

Languages

ENGLISH

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Groningen / Groningen Research Insitute of Pharmacy

Country

Netherlands

City

Groningen

Postal Code

9713AV

Street

Antonius Deusinglaan 1

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/job-opportunities/?details=00347-02S00…

Contact

State/Province

Groningen

City

Groningen

Website

http://schmidt-researchgroup.com

Street

Antonius Deusinglaan 1

Postal Code

9713AV

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED