PhD Positions in Microbiology, Biocatalysis, Microfluidics, and Bioinformatics at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (MetaExplore MSCA Doctoral Network)
The MetaExplore MSCA Doctoral Network is offering two fully funded PhD positions at the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Centre (CBM) at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain. These positions focus on research at the interface of microbiology, biocatalysis, microfluidics, and bioinformatics, with a strong emphasis on metagenomics, protein engineering, and the application of machine learning and AI to biological data. The program provides hands-on research experience and formal training in directed evolution, chemical biology, and mechanistic enzymology.
PhD candidates will benefit from international secondments at leading industrial and academic partners, including Drop-Tech and Prozomix Limited in the UK, and SINTEF in Norway. The research aims to discover and engineer novel biocatalysts and bioactive compounds through ultrahigh-throughput exploration of metagenomic sequence space, combining experimental and computational approaches. Applications include green technology (such as microplastics degradation and fine chemical synthesis) and healthcare (therapeutic enzymes and bacteriocidal reagents).
The MetaExplore network brings together twelve leading academic and industrial groups across Europe, providing a multidisciplinary training environment. The program integrates in silico structural and sequence analysis with experimental high-throughput screening, microfluidics, and systematic kinetic and biophysical analysis. Training also covers entrepreneurship, IP protection, and economic challenges in applied biotechnology, with opportunities for collaborative projects with industrial partners.
Eligibility requirements include not having resided or carried out main activity in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment, not holding a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment, and being eligible for doctoral enrollment at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Applications must include a CV, transcripts, motivation letter, and contact details of two referees, specifying DC9 or DC12 in the subject line. The application deadline is January 12th, 2026. For full details, visit
metaexplore.eu
.
Funding is provided by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network under the Horizon Europe Programme, with a total network funding of €4.6 million. The position is fully funded for 3 years, with an additional year of funding, and includes international training and industrial collaboration.
