Computational generation of starting structures for enzyme engineering | Project PD 3.14

Careers powered by Circular Bioeconomy Computational generation of starting structures for enzyme engineering | Project PD 3.14 Project description 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 increase of 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 enzymesBiocatalytic investigation of engineered and redesigned enzyme variants and integration into process settingDocumentation of scientific results and presentations in the form of reports, specialist publications, and conference contributionsResponsibilities, Duties and Opportunities as a Project Staff Member in the Cluster of Excellence Circular Bioengineering Embedding in the CoE 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 relatedOutstanding academic recordAdvanced knowledge in one of the following areas: structural biology, computational biology, biocatalysis, molecular biologyExcellent 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. Submission deadline: 09.10.2026 Please use this Application form – PD-positions (download here). Applications submitted without this form cannot be processed.Please submit the following additional documents as PDF files. Applications missing any of the required documents will not be processed:Curriculum vitaeCopy of certificates from the applicant’s bachelor, master/diploma and doctoral studiesA translation of the documents if the original documents are not in English or GermanPlease submit your complete application by email to cb_recruiting@boku.ac.at and include the project/position number in the subject line (e.g. “Jane Doe, application for PD 3.14”).For information on the further application procedure – online hearing and interview – see: How to apply for PD positions.Submission deadline: 09.10.2026© by Circular Bioengineering