The project focuses on the mechanistic investigation of enzymes involved in the catalytic upgrading of hydrophobic substrates into valuable biobased chemicals. Hydrophobic binding pockets are a common structural feature of these enzymes and play a crucial role in substrate recognition and selectivity. However, the structural determinants governing selectivity in these binding pockets remain poorly understood. In particular, the role of conformational dynamics in controlling enzyme selectivity is difficult to rationalize, posing a major challenge for rational enzyme engineering.
The aim of this project is to advance our mechanistic understanding of how hydrophobic binding pockets control chemo- and stereoselectivity and to apply this knowledge to the rational design of biocatalysts with improved selectivity for the synthesis of valuable biobased chemicals.
Key Responsibilities
- Research on enzyme engineering, supported by computational approaches
- Biocatalytic investigation of engineered and redesigned enzyme variants and integration into process setting.
- Documentation of scientific results and presentations in the form of reports, specialist publications, and conference contributions
- Responsibilities, 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 related.
- Outstanding academic record;
- Advanced knowledge in one of the following areas: structural biology, computational biology, biocatalysis, molecular biology.
- Excellent 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: 20.11.2026
- 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 vitae
- Copy of certificates from the applicant’s bachelor, master/diploma and doctoral studies
- A translation of the documents if the original documents are not in English or German
- Please 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 3.1”).
- For information on the further application procedure – online hearing and interview – see: How to apply for PostDoc positions.
- Submission deadline: 20.11.2026