PhD position on Artificial Metalloenzymes for Radical Reactions

 The Biomolecular Chemistry & Catalysis group headed by Prof. G. Roelfes, part of the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry/University of Groningen, is looking for a Doctoral Candidate (PhD student) on the design and development of novel artificial metalloenzymes comprising one or more abiological catalytic groups and their application in the (bio-)catalysis of radical reactions that have no equivalent in nature. The research will be carried out in the framework of the Metrazymes Marie Sklodowska-Curie European Doctoral Network (HORIZON – MSCA – 2021 – DN, project 101073546 – MetRaZymes), which has the objective to train a new generation of doctoral candidates on metalloenzymes for biocatalysis of radical reactions.

The PhD student will focus on the design, creation and characterization of novel artificial metalloenzymes using a combination of organic/organometallic chemistry and advanced molecular biology and protein production techniques. The novel enzymes will be assessed in the catalysis of radical reactions and are subsequently optimized using directed evolution techniques. The structure and mechanism of action of the evolved artificial metalloenzymes will be studied.

Qualifications

We are looking for candidates who meet the following requirements:

• a MSc degree in chemistry or a related field
• experience in experimental organic/organometallic/coordination chemistry or homogeneous catalysis
• an interest in working at the interface of chemistry and biology
• the ability to work independently
• creativity, determination and motivation.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see University of Groningen’s English Language Requirements for details.

Applicants may be of any nationality but must fulfill the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions mobility rule: At the time of recruitment, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (studies or work) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment.

Organisation

The University of Groningen is a research university, currently in or around the top 100 on several influential ranking lists. The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) is the largest faculty within the University, offering first-rate education and research in a wide range of science and engineering disciplines.

The mission of the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry is to perform excellent research and teaching in molecular and supramolecular chemistry. Core activities in the chemical sciences such as bioorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, molecular inorganic chemistry and molecular materials chemistry are embedded in the institute. The research programme is focused on synthesis, catalysis, functional materials, bio-organic chemistry/chemical biology and systems chemistry/complex molecular systems.

The Biomolecular Chemistry & Catalysis group headed by Prof. G. Roelfes focusses on enzyme design, in vivo catalysis and bioorthogonal catalysis.

Conditions of employment

We offer you following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• a salary of € 2,541 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,247 gross per month in the fourth and final year based on a full-time position (1.0 FTE)
• a holiday allowance of 8% of gross annual income
• an 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance
• a position for four years; you will get 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 a 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.

Preferred starting date between 01-03-2023 and 01-09-2023

Application

Do you meet our qualification criteria? If yes, you’re requested to upload the following documents:

• a motivation letter stating your motivation to apply for the position and your key qualities relevant for this position
• an up-to-date curriculum vitae
• diplomas (BSc and Msc) and transcript of records
• contact information of two academic references.

You may apply for this position until January 16th, 2023 11:59pm (CET) / before 17 January 2023 by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website). Please note that applications will be considered on a rolling basis – since we aim to start this position as soon as possible.

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

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Information

For information you can contact:

• Prof. dr. G. Roelfes, J.G.Roelfes@rug.nl

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

Apply