PhD Position in Biocatalytic Cascades (MSCA DN HALOVERSE DC11) – Double Degree at University of Groningen and University of Bern University of Groningen in Netherlands

The Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP) at the University of Groningen is offering a fully funded PhD position as part of the Horizon Europe Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network (DN) project HALOVERSE DC11. This interdisciplinary project bridges the gap between fundamental natural sciences and medical/clinical sciences, focusing on the development of new and innovative drugs and therapies, as well as improving the use of existing pharmaceuticals.

The PhD research will be conducted primarily at the University of Groningen (RUG, The Netherlands) in the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, under the supervision of Prof. Sandy Schmidt. The project features a strong international component, including a 12-month academic research stay at the University of Bern (Switzerland) supervised by Prof. Francesca Paradisi, and an industrial secondment at AstraZeneca (Sweden). The successful candidate will be awarded a double PhD degree from both RUG and the University of Bern upon completion.

The research focuses on enzyme engineering, (flow)biocatalysis, and chemistry, with the aim of identifying and characterizing enzymes for cascade reactions towards functionalized N-heterocycles. The project includes investigation of different cascade modes, engineering of biocatalysts for enhanced activity and stability, enzyme immobilization, scale-up, and demonstration studies in a bioreactor. The industrial secondment will apply these functionalized N-heterocycles in a drug discovery platform.

Prof. Schmidt’s research group offers a multicultural, inclusive, and interdisciplinary environment, integrating synthetic biology, protein engineering, and biocatalysis. The team collaborates nationally and internationally, focusing on translational research and industrially relevant applications. The ultimate goal is to use biocatalysts for the scalable and sustainable enzymatic synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

The position is funded by the MSCA Doctoral Network, providing a competitive salary/stipend, participation in training events and workshops, and opportunities for public engagement and scientific dissemination. Applicants must hold a relevant MSc degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, or a related field, and have a strong command of English. Experience in enzyme engineering, protein engineering, biocatalysis, or synthetic biology is highly desirable. Candidates must also meet the MSCA mobility requirements.

The project is planned to start between April and December 2026. For application instructions, please visit www.haloverse.eu/recruitment. Do not apply through the Academic Transfer or FindAPhD websites.