PhD in Enzyme Design: New-to-Nature Biocatalysis with Unnatural Amino Acids.

In recent years, the power of non-canonical amino acids has been showcased across multiple fields, with growing examples in biocatalysis. These versatile building blocks expand the chemical diversity beyond the 20 canonical amino acids, enabling the creation of enzymes with enhanced catalytic activity, improved stability, and entirely new functionalities - innovations that are often beyond the reach of naturally occurring proteins. With this expanded toolkit, researchers have opened new avenues in enzyme design that can revolutionize green chemistry, pharmaceuticals or material science.

This PhD project offers a stimulating environment at the intersection of chemistry and biology, where you will employ state-of-the-art techniques in protein engineering, directed evolution, and biocatalysis. You will explore the synthesis and incorporation of non-canonical amino acids, aiming to create enzymes with unprecedented catalytic capabilities.

The planned starting date for the PhD is between July and November 2025.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology or a related field. Candidates graduating in 2025 are also encouraged to apply.
• Strong motivation to pursue a research career
• Enthusiasm to explore new research directions and learn new techniques
• Hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques (e.g., cloning, mutagenesis, protein expression and purification) and/or analytical techniques (e.g HPLC, NMR, MS, or spectroscopy).
• Knowledge of chemical synthesis and catalysis
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Interested in participating in educational task

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Salary Benefits:

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of € 2.901,00 (1st year) and maximum of € 3.707,00 (4th year) gross per month for a full-time employment.
• an employment contract of initially 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a total duration of 4 years.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• space for personal development
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
• discount on (and occasionally exclusive access to) theater performances and courses at the Griffioen Cultural Center

De Boelelaan 1108