PhD Position in Advanced Strategies for Smart Biomanufacturing in Biofoundries Spanish National Research Council in Spain

This PhD position, hosted by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) at the Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio) in Valencia, Spain, offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the advancement of smart biomanufacturing in biofoundries. The research is part of the FrameBio Doctoral Network, funded by the Horizon Europe Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), and aims to revolutionize biotechnology through the integration of computational and experimental approaches.

The project focuses on improving biomanufacturing efficiency using advanced computational techniques, including AI-driven bio-retrosynthesis for metabolic pathway design, enzyme optimization, and DNA part selection. Model organisms such as P. pastoris and C. necator will be employed, and knowledge-graph-based combinatorial experiment designs will be used to span multiple biological scales. Multiobjective optimization strategies will ensure enhanced efficiency across various biomanufacturing processes.

Expected outcomes include the development of innovative bio-based production methods tailored to specific property requirements, leveraging new-to-nature metabolic pathways for the efficient production of food ingredients and proteins. The research will integrate insights from genomics, metabolomics, fermentation, process optimization, data science, and sustainability assessments, providing a comprehensive, multidisciplinary training environment.

The supervisory team comprises Dr. Pablo Carbonell (Dynamics Biodesign Lab), Dr. Irene Otero-Muras (Computational Synthetic Biology Group), and Dr. Agustín Aranda (Biotechnology of Industrial Yeasts Laboratory). Their expertise spans synthetic biology, machine learning, biosensor and pathway dynamic regulation, biomolecular network analysis, and yeast biotechnology. The successful candidate will benefit from an international training program, a Personal Career Development Plan, and collaboration with 15 partner institutions across 10 countries.

Applicants must hold a master's degree or equivalent in biotechnology, synthetic biology, systems biology, applied mathematics, or a related discipline, with technical skills in computer programming and mathematical modeling. Proficiency in English (B2 level) is required, and candidates must comply with the MSCA mobility rule. A six-month secondment at the Technical University of Berlin is included in the program.

The compensation package includes a living allowance of 3400€/month (with country correction factor), a mobility allowance of 600€/month, and a possible family allowance of 660€/month, in accordance with MSCA-DN regulations. The doctoral candidate will be enrolled in the Science and Technology Programme, Biosciences area, at Menendez Pelayo International University.

Applications are open until 31 March 2026. Interested candidates should send their application and supporting documents to Dr. Pablo Carbonell at [email protected]. For more information, visit the project and institutional websites or contact the supervisors directly.