PhD Position in Protein Engineering and Synthetic Microbiology at RWTH Aachen University
The Lars Lauterbach Lab at RWTH Aachen University is seeking a highly motivated PhD researcher for a DFG-funded project in the field of protein engineering and synthetic microbiology. The research focuses on the engineering of O₂-tolerant [NiFe] hydrogenase, with the goal of designing fusion enzymes for direct electron transfer and H₂-driven reduction of synthetic nicotinamide cofactors. The project integrates advanced protein engineering, biocatalysis, and continuous-flow reaction systems to develop a new platform for sustainable asymmetric synthesis, eliminating the need for conventional cofactor regeneration.
The successful candidate will be involved in designing and evaluating fusion enzymes, analyzing hydrogenase variants, supervising undergraduate students, and collaborating with research groups at TU Hamburg and TU Delft. The research group has a strong publication record in Chem. Commun. and Green Chemistry, highlighting their expertise in the field.
Applicants should hold an excellent Master’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related discipline. Required skills include experience in biocatalysis, molecular biology, computational docking, microbiology, and biochemistry. Preferred qualifications include experience in structure predictions, synthetic microbiology, protein engineering, and analytical techniques such as GC, MS, and HPLC. Strong communication skills and proficiency in English are essential.
The position is fully funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), providing financial support for the duration of the doctoral studies. RWTH Aachen University is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applications from early-career researchers.
To apply, candidates should send a single PDF containing a motivation letter, short research summary, CV, transcripts, and two references to Dr. Subha Ghosh at [email protected] by January 23, 2026.
Keywords: Protein Engineering, Synthetic Microbiology, Biocatalysis, Hydrogenase, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Continuous-flow Reaction Systems, Sustainable Synthesis.
