Website Technical University of Denmark
Job description
Technische Universität Deutschland PhD Scholarships in Bioengineering: field convergence strategies for carbohydrate-active enzymes
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Project Description.
Are you passionate about sustainability and eager to tackle climate and environmental challenges? Do you have a keen interest in enzymes? Embark on an exciting PhD journey by joining DTU Bioengineering’s Applied Molecular Enzyme Chemistry group, which is dedicated to developing innovative enzyme engineering approaches to obtain enzymes for alternative chemical processes such as complex biomass conversion and plastics recycling. The program utilizes computational protein design and rational engineering to create and improve enzymes, addressing gaps in current overall strategies.
Explore the fascinating world of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and delve into the intricate interactions between substrate-binding and catalytic domains. Your research will play a key role in bridging the knowledge gap and optimizing enzymes for various industrial applications. Make a tangible impact on the future of sustainable technologies!
These two PhD scholarships are part of a 5-year program that also includes a postdoctoral fellowship funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Our goal is to build a versatile toolbox for enzyme engineering, even beyond CAZymes, such as plastic-degrading enzymes, through field convergence, thus significantly advancing the development of sustainable technologies. The program is based at the Danish University of Science and Technology (DTU) and also includes external exchanges with collaborators in Marseille, France or Bayreuth, Germany. You will join a research group dedicated to understanding and developing enzymes for use in industrial biotechnology.
Job responsibilities
PhD Fellowship on String Bead Structural Domain Organization of CAZymes You will study how linker properties and structural domain order affect the enzymatic activity of modular CAZymes with string-bead structural domain organization. Nowadays, this very common structural domain organization is used as the only strategy when it comes to enzyme engineering by structural domain fusion. However, the performance of fusion enzymes is often low due to a lack of systematic knowledge.
Your tasks include
Perform comprehensive bioinformatics analysis to select enzymes and ligands for research.
Perform high-throughput screening of engineered CAZymes with different properties and structural domain order.
Recombinant production of selected enzymes using E. coli or Pichia pastoris.
Comprehensive biochemical characterization of the activity, substrate binding, stability and structure of the prepared enzymes.
The results were utilized to guide the computational design of the enzymes and to determine the distance and orientation of the structural domains.
CAZymes with Nested Structural Domains PhD Fellowship You will study CAZymes with a unique organization of structural domains, where one structural domain is inserted into the other, in contrast to the classical beaded arrangement. Little is known about the functional advantages and disadvantages of nested structural domains.
Your tasks will include
Selecting a representative set of enzymes to study, including beaded homologs.
Recombinant production of selected enzymes using E. coli or Pichia pastoris.
Perform a comprehensive biochemical characterization of the activity, substrate binding, stability and structure of the prepared enzymes.
The results were used to guide the computational design of the enzymes and to determine the distance and orientation of the structural domains.
Desired Candidate Characteristics:
Strong academic background in protein chemistry, preferably with experience in carbohydrate-active enzymes.
Experience in bioinformatics analysis, protein structure analysis or computational protein design is desirable.
Experience in experimental work in the following areas E. coli or Pichia pastoris recombinant protein production, protein purification, enzyme assays, protein-ligand interaction analysis, protein stability analysis, or protein structure determination.
Motivation and drive to overcome challenges, able to work independently but also thrive in collaborative projects.
Willingness to teach (as a teaching assistant) and mentor undergraduate students on projects.
You must have a two-year Master’s degree (120 ECTS credits) or a similar degree at an academic level equivalent to a two-year Master’s degree.
Applicable to all scholarships
Approval and admission PhD scholarships are subject to academic approval and candidates will be admitted to one of DTU’s general degree programs. For information on our admission requirements and the general planning of doctoral study programs, please refer to the DTU’s rules for doctoral education.
We offer DTU is a leading technical university recognized globally for excellence in research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer you a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We pursue academic excellence in an environment of respect for colleagues, academic freedom and responsibility.
Remuneration and terms of appointment Appointments will be based on a collective agreement with the Danish Federation of Professional Associations. Stipends will be agreed with the relevant trade unions. The term of appointment will be 3 years.
The starting date is June 1, 2025 or as soon as possible. June 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a full-time position.
You can learn more about DTU careers by clicking here.
More Information Additional information can be obtained from Associate Professor Marie S. Møller at [email protected].
For more information on bioengineering at DTU, visit www.bioengineering.dtu.dk and the Applied Molecular Enzyme Chemistry Research Group.
If you are applying from abroad, you can find useful information about working in Denmark and at DTU in DTU – Moving to Denmark. In addition, you can attend our free monthly seminar “PhD Moving to Denmark and Starting a ‘Zoom’ Seminar” to learn about all the practical aspects of moving to Denmark and doing PhD work at DTU.
Application procedure You must submit a complete online application by March 12, 2025 (23:59 Danish time).
To be considered, applications must be submitted as a PDF file containing all materials. To apply, please open the “Apply Now” link, complete the online application form and attach all materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include
Letter of motivation to apply (cover letter)
Curriculum vitae (CV)
Transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English), including official description of grading criteria
Names and contact details of at least two referees, if any.
Please indicate the program for which you are applying (name from the list of PhD programs or individual research projects above).
Incomplete applications will not be considered. You may apply prior to receiving your Master’s degree, but you cannot begin your application until you have received your Master’s degree.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background. Because DTU conducts critical technology research that is subject to special security and export control regulations, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for this position.
The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Department of Bioengineering) is an international leader in biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine makes us a key player with unique capabilities in the evolving bioeconomy and healthcare system transitioning to personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs of the life sciences and biotechnology industries and are committed to providing innovation, new business and scientific services to society. The Department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry.The Department of Bioengineering at DTU employs approximately 400 staff, of which 2/3 are researchers. The Department is located on the DTU Lyngby campus.
Human-centered technology DTU develops human-centered technology. Through our elite international research and study programs, we are helping to create a better world and address the global challenges set out in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with the express mission of using science and engineering to develop and create value for the benefit of society. This mission continues to this day, with 13,500 students and 6,000 employees at DTU. We work in an international atmosphere with an inclusive, evolving and informal work environment. DTU has campuses throughout Denmark and Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.
You must have a two-year Master’s degree (120 ECTS credits) or a similar degree at an academic level equivalent to a two-year Master’s degree.
Desired Candidate Characteristics:
– Strong academic background in protein chemistry, preferably with experience in carbohydrate-active enzymes.
– Experience in bioinformatics analysis, protein structure analysis or computational protein design is desirable.
– Experience with experimental work in the following areas: recombinant protein production in E. coli or Pichia pastoris, protein purification, enzyme assays, protein-ligand interaction analyses, protein stability analyses, or protein structure determination.
– Motivation and drive to overcome challenges, able to work independently but also thrive in collaborative projects.
– Willingness to teach (as a teaching assistant) and mentor undergraduate students on projects.
We offer DTU is a leading technical university recognized globally for excellence in research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We pursue academic excellence in an environment of respect for colleagues, academic freedom and responsibility.
Remuneration and terms of appointment Appointments will be based on a collective agreement with the Danish Federation of Professional Associations. Stipends will be agreed with the relevant trade unions. The term of appointment will be 3 years.
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No
Northern Europe, Denmark
Doctoral Fellowship</position_name
Technical University of Denmark
Doctoral Scholarship in Bioengineering at the Technical University of Germany: field convergence strategy for carbohydrate-active enzymes
Paid position system
www.dtu.dk
2025-03-12
[email protected]
yes
yes
No
No
offer requirements
You must have a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS credits) or a similar degree at an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree.
Desired Candidate Characteristics:
– Strong academic background in protein chemistry, preferably with experience in carbohydrate-active enzymes.
– Experience in bioinformatics analysis, protein structure analysis or computational protein design is desirable.
– Experience with experimental work in the following areas: recombinant protein production in E. coli or Pichia pastoris, protein purification, enzyme assays, protein-ligand interaction analyses, protein stability analyses, or protein structure determination.
– Motivation and drive to overcome challenges, able to work independently but also thrive in collaborative projects.
– Willingness to teach (as a teaching assistant) and mentor undergraduate students on projects.
offer benefits
We offer DTU is a leading technical university recognized globally for excellence in research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We pursue academic excellence in an environment of respect for colleagues, academic freedom and responsibility.
Remuneration and terms of appointment Appointments will be based on a collective agreement with the Danish Federation of Professional Associations. Stipends will be agreed with the relevant trade unions. The term of appointment will be 3 years.
To apply for this job please visit dtu.dk.