Full Professor
PhD researcher developing enzymatic synthesis methods for bifidobacterial exopolysaccharides.
Tasks include enzyme expression, activity validation, plasmid engineering and EPS functional testing.
Requires an MSc in molecular biology or a related field and hands-on molecular biology experience.
Omschrijving
Enzymatic synthesis of complex bacterial glycans is the focus of this PhD project, aiming to develop methods to produce a variety of bifidobacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) to enable structure–activity studies.
The project addresses limitations of isolating EPS from bacterial cultures, such as low yields and low purities that hinder direct proof of bifidobacterial health effects. The PhD is closely linked to a parallel PhD on chemical synthesis of EPS within the same NWO-Vidi project, promoting an interdisciplinary approach.
Functie eisen
- MSc degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology/bioengineering, or equivalent certification.
- Strong experimental background in molecular biology, synthetic biology, or metabolic engineering.
- Hands-on experience with expression and purification of (membrane) proteins and enzymes is a strong asset.
- Capacity to think analytically and creatively and high motivation for academic research.
- Ability to work in an international team and collaborate with several research centers in Europe.
- Integrative and cooperative personality with excellent communicative and social skills.
- Fluent proficiency in English, written and oral.
Taken
- Develop enzymatic synthesis methods to produce a variety of bifidobacterial exopolysaccharides.
- Express enzymes from predicted biosynthesis pathways and validate their activity.
- Combine enzymes to synthesize EPS structures of different lengths and levels of complexity.
- Perform plasmid engineering toward microbial cell factories that produce EPS structures.
- Collaborate to test the resulting EPS structures for functional effects in intestinal model systems and contribute to demonstrating bifidobacterial health effects.
Werkomstandigheden
- End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
- Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Temporary full-time employment for four years, with an initial one-year contract followed by extension after a positive Results and Development Interview.
- Flexibility to work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours.
Beschrijving van de organisatie
The University of Groningen conducts interdisciplinary research and teaching across academia and technology, collaborating with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations.
The Faculty of Science and Engineering provides teaching and research across disciplines from physics and biology to artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, and pharmacy, contributing to challenges such as energy, sustainability, digitization, and medical technology. The community is open and informal, with students, PhD candidates, and staff from around the world.
The Stratingh Institute for Chemistry is a research institute within the Faculty of Science and Engineering that performs research and teaching in molecular and supramolecular chemistry, covering bio-organic chemistry, organic chemistry, molecular inorganic chemistry, molecular materials chemistry, synthesis, catalysis, functional materials, chemical biology, and systems chemistry.