Postdoc-position | Computational generation of starting structures for enzyme engineering (Project PD 3.14)

Description of project:

The project focuses on the mechanistic characterization and engineering of hydratases for the utilization of renewable resources. For this, by ancestral sequence reconstruction and AI-based redesign will be investigated as strategies to generate highly robust protein variants, in which beneficial mutations leading to altered selectivity and substrate scope are less likely to have trade-off in terms of activity and stability. Aim is to generate biocatalysts for sustainable enzyme cascades leading to biobased polymer precursor molecules.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research on enzyme engineering and computational design of enzymes
• Biocatalytic investigation of engineered and redesigned enzyme variants and integration into process setting.
• Documentation of scientific results and presentations in the form of reports, specialist publications, and conference contributions
• Responsibilities, Duties and Opportunities as a Project Staff Member in the Cluster of Excellence Circular Bioengineering

Embedding in the Cluster of Excellence Circular Bioengineering:

The project is embedded in the Cluster of Excellence Circular Bioengineering Program 3 “Biocatalytic Processes for Sustainable Synthesis” and has strong links to research groups working on enzymatic synthesis and bioprocess engineering in Program 3.

Candidate Profile:

• PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biotechnology or related.
• Outstanding academic record;
• Advanced knowledge in one of the following areas: structural biology, computational biology, biocatalysis, molecular biology.
• Excellent English language skills (spoken and written) 
• Ability to work independently and scientifically; flexibility and willingness to work in an interdisciplinary environment; high level of resilience

Main Supervisor:

Univ.-Prof. Robert Kourist

Location:

Graz University of Technology

Duration:

18 Months, 40h/week

Salary:

Minimum gross monthly salary according to the B1 salary group according to the Austrian university collective agreement.

Application guidelines:

Please send your job application to cb_recruiting(at)boku.ac.at , indicating your name and the project/position number in the subject line (e.g. "Jane Doe, application for PD 3.14").

Further information on Application documents and formal criteria see Application guidelines - Postdocs — circular bioengineering. The application must meet all formal criteria, otherwise it cannot be considered.

Submission deadline:

14.10.2026