This PhD project at Durham University addresses the urgent challenge of climate change by developing new biological solutions for carbon capture. Traditional chemical and physical methods for CO2 capture and storage have proven economically and energetically costly, with significant risks. In contrast, biological systems, particularly enzymes found in microorganisms from extreme environments, offer a promising alternative for transforming CO2 into valuable chemicals under ambient conditions using sustainable hydrogen.

The research focuses on the discovery and engineering of formate dehydrogenases (FDHs), enzymes capable of converting CO2 into formic acid—a commodity chemical and potential feedstock precursor. The project leverages the diversity of microbial communities from deep-sea thermal vents at Loki’s Castle in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Using metagenomic databases assembled by the Horizon2020 Virus-X consortium, the team will identify novel FDHs employing advanced bioinformatics and AI-based structure prediction tools such as RoseTTAfold and AlphaFold3.

Selected candidate enzymes will be produced and characterized for their biochemical, biophysical, and structural properties. The most promising FDHs will be tested in a flow reactor system designed for continuous gas-to-liquid diffusion and product removal, providing proof-of-principle evidence for large-scale CO2 capture. The project is a collaboration with Dr. S. Cosgrove from the University of Keele.

Durham University, a QS world top 100 institution, offers outstanding research facilities through the Biophysical Sciences Institute and the Department of Chemistry. The successful candidate will receive extensive training in research integrity, data management, and presentation skills, and will have opportunities to present their work at lab meetings, seminars, and conferences. Public engagement training is also provided, with institutional support for broader community involvement.

Funding for this position is competitive and will be awarded based on the quality of applications relative to other projects. Applicants should have a strong background in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, or related fields, and demonstrate motivation for research in enzyme engineering and bioinformatics. International candidates may need to provide proof of English language proficiency.

To apply, contact Prof. Ehmke Pohl at [email protected] with a CV and covering letter outlining your interest in the project by December 15th, 2025. For more information, visit the project page and the Biophysical Sciences Institute website.