The Netherlands: PhD Scholarship on Biocatalysis, University of Groningen

Four-year PhD scholarship on biocatalysis
Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, The Netherlands

Project description
It concerns a 4-year research project aimed at the exploration of proline-based biocatalysts for catalyzing non-natural carbonyl transformation reactions. The work involves the extensive screening for aldolase, alkylation, decarboxylation, and Michael addition activities in several well-known tautomerases. The target activities or products will be identified by UV and fluorescence spectroscopy (e.g., in an 96/384-well format), HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS and NMR. Of the best enzymes, a detailed mechanistic characterization will be carried out, using kinetic and pH studies as well as site-directed mutagenesis. In collaboration with other members of the research group, the most promising enzymes that show the desired activity will be used in engineering experiments to enhance or extent the activity to a practical level.

Offered scholarship
We offer a PhD grant of about €1580,- per month during 4 years. The research should lead at the end of the 4-years period to a PhD in Natural Sciences. See also this link.

Organization
The research will be conducted in the Pharmaceutical Biotechnology group of Dr. G.J. Poelarends, which is embedded in the Department of Pharmaceutical Biology headed by Prof. Dr. W.J. Quax (www.farmbio.nl). The department participates in the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP) and the interfaculty Graduate School for Drug Exploration (GUIDE). The living cell as a factory for pharmaceutically relevant compounds is the central theme of the Department of Pharmaceutical Biology. The laboratory is well equipped for enzymology, protein engineering, analytical chemistry, and biocatalysis work. We offer a stimulating work environment for a researcher interested in these topics. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the research group of Prof. Dr. C.P. Whitman (Medicinal Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin).

Requirements
We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled researcher with a masters (MSc) degree in organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biocatalysis, or similar, and with expertise in analytical techniques (NMR, HPLC and/or LC/GC-MS) and/or synthetic chemistry. You are expected to have an excellent academic record and be fluent in the English language.

Contact
You can apply for this scholarship until we have found a suitable candidate. For further information and applications contact: Dr. G.J. Poelarends, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, GRIP, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands. E-mail: g.j.poelarends[ at ]rug.nl. Applications (preferably by e-mail) should include a description of past education and expertise, a CV, a list of examination marks from your university study, and the names and addresses of at least 2 references.