Job Description
At the Institute of Applied Microbiology (iAMB) at RWTH Aachen University, researchers are involved in various contributions to a circular bioeconomy. The main objective is the sustainable production of valuable substances from renewable carbon sources for a future bioeconomy. Our Synthetic Microbiology group focuses on engineering recombinant microorganisms and designing energy modules for the utilization and production of biofuels such as molecular hydrogen and methane. We employ an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating methods from molecular genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, spectroscopy, biocatalysis, and bioprocess engineering. We offer an outstanding research environment with state-of-the-art facilities at the iAMB and strong links to the Cluster of Excellence “Fuel Science center (FSC),” WSS century research center catalaix, and the Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC).
The PhD project is part of the DFG project “Molecular hydrogen conversion in phototrophs and heterotrophs with engineered oxygen-tolerant hydrogenases” in collaboration with the UFZ Leipzig. This project explores oxygen-tolerant hydrogenases in microbial hosts to achieve environmentally friendly H₂ production and utilisation.[1-3] By engineering hydrogenase cofactor specificity and metabolic interactions, we will enable light-driven H₂ production in cyanobacteria and H₂-dependent biotransformations in heterotrophs in close cooperation with Prof. Dr. Bruno Bühler. This research promotes a sustainable bioeconomy and advances our fundamental understanding of bacterial physiology, photosynthesis and redox bioprocessing.
References:
[1] Lettau E., Lorenz C., Appel J., Boehm M., Cordero P., Lauterbach L. Insights into electron transfer and bifurcation of the Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 hydrogenase reductase module 2024 Biochim Biophys Acta Bioenerg. 1866(1):149508. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2024.149508
[2] Lupacchini S, Appel J, Stauder R, Bolay P, Klähn S, Lettau E, Adrian L, Lauterbach L, Bühler B, Schmid A, Toepel J. 2021 Rewiring cyanobacterial photosynthesis by the implementation of an oxygen-tolerant hydrogenase. Metab Eng. 68:199-209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymben.2021.10.006
[3] Lauterbach L, Lenz O 2019 How to make the reducing power of H2 available for in vivo biosyntheses and biotransformations. Curr Opin Chem Biol. 49:91-96 Review DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.11.020
- Engineer hydrogenase for cofactor specificity
- Design hybrid hydrogenase for improved ferredoxin interaction
- Evaluate H2-driven biotransformations
- Publish research findings in high-impact scientific journals
- Supervise undergraduate students
- Interdisciplinary collaboration with other research groups
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- A University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, or a related field with excellent academic records
- Demonstrated experience in biocatalysis, molecular biology, computational docking, microbiology, and biochemistry
- Experience in structure predictions, synthetic microbiology, protein engineering, and/or analytics (GC, MS, HPLC) is preferred but not required
- Excellent communication skills
- Proficient in English, both written and spoken
- How to Apply
- Please prepare the following in a single PDF file:
- Motivation letter
- A brief summary of previous research experience (1 page max)
- CV
- Copies of your grades and education certificates
- Contact information of two referees.
The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.
The position is to be filled at the earliest possible date and offered for a fixed term of three years.
The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts).
This is a part-time contract position.
The standard weekly hours will be 25,89 hours.
The successful candidate has the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in this position.
The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L).
The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 13 TV-L.