Postdoc Position in Enzymology and Biocatalysis

We are looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher in the field of Biocatalysis and Enzymology to join the Enzyme Engineering Group in the Department of Biological & Chemical Engineering at Aarhus University, Denmark. 
 

Expected start date and duration of employment

The postdoc position is a fulltime position with an expected start date on 1 November, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is initially offered for 1 year.


Job description 

Enzymes offer opportunities for sustainable and eco-friendly synthesis of biobased materials from renewable sources. The research in the Enzyme Engineering Group focuses on the improvement of the biocatalytic capacity of enzymes through enzyme discovery and characterization, protein engineering approaches, enzymatic cascade reactions, enzyme kinetics and mechanistic enzymology. Enzymes have great advantages over chemical catalysts, such as capability to produce a versatile set of high-value products, excellent regio- and stereo-selectivity, reusability, ambient conditions for activity leading to energy saving and biodegradability. Owing to these benefits, enzymes attracted a great deal of interest from various branches of industry. Deciphering enzyme mechanisms also inspire new chemistries and new catalysts.
The key tasks of the postdoc in this position will be:

• Discovery and characterization of novel enzymes for application in biocatalysis.
• Use of various protein engineering approaches to optimize enzymes for desired biocatalytic properties.
• Kinetic, stability and mechanistic analysis of wild-type and mutant enzymes.
• Exploring the capacity of enzymes for new-to-nature reactions.
• Development and optimization of multi-enzyme cascades.
• Disseminating the project results through scientific publications and conference presentations.

For more information on “Enzyme Engineering Group” go to:
https://bce.au.dk/en/research/key-areas-in-research-and-development/industrial-biotechnology/enzyme-engineering


Qualifications 

• Completed PhD in the field of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology or relevant field.        
• Practical experience in molecular biology techniques, especially those related to protein engineering.
• Strong background in enzymology (protein expression and purification, enzyme characterization, assay design and analysis) and the application of enzymes in biocatalysis.
• Expertise in chemical analysis using techniques including NMR, GC-MS and HPLC.
• Basic skills in computational protein structure analysis and bioinformatic techniques.
• Self-motivated, pro-active, team- and goal-oriented personality.
• Excellent communication skills, including fluency in spoken and written English.
• Interest in co-supervising students.

Who we are 

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering was established on 1 January, 2021 in connection with Aarhus University’s reorganization of the engineering area. The department employs around 175 people and is responsible for research and education within the department’s scientific areas. We educate both Bachelors and Master of Science in Engineering and around 825 students are enrolled in our study programs. Furthermore, we also offer an ambitious PhD program. Our PhD students have high academic ambitions and deliver high-quality results for both the private and the public sectors.
At the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, focus is on living systems, the biology of organisms, efficient production, and transformation of chemicals, materials and energy. We translate knowledge within biotechnology, food technology, environmental technology, chemical engineering, industrial biotechnology, medical biotechnology and electrochemical engineering, and more into new technologies and value-creating solutions that can also be used in the business community.

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering is organized into 4 sections: Industrial Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology, Process & Materials Engineering and Environmental Biotechnology. Enzyme Engineering Group is attached to the section of Industrial Biotechnology, which has strong research activities in biocatalysis, bioprocess, microbial biotechnology and food biotechnology. For more information: https://bce.au.dk/en/research/key-areas-in-research-and-development/industrial-biotechnology


What we offer 

• An exciting interdisciplinary and international environment at a university that consistently ranks among the world’s best universities.
• A well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment.
• A research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research.
• A work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities.
• A workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.
• A location in the middle of the city of Aarhus, a beautiful city with vibrant mix of youthful energy and a rich history.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is the section of Industrial Biotechnology at the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments. 


Contact information 

For further information, please contact: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bekir Engin Eser, e-mail: [email protected], or phone: +45 52824813. 
 

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 8 September, 2024.


Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.


Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/