Robert Kourist

The Cluster of Excellence Circular Bioengineering is advertising a postdoctoral position for Project PD 3.1 : Mechanistic investigation of oxidoreductases for the synthesis of biobased chemicals . The position is based at Graz University of Technology in Graz, Austria, and is embedded in Program 3, Biocatalytic Processes for Sustainable Synthesis , with strong links to research groups working on enzymatic synthesis and bioprocess engineering. The project investigates how enzymes catalyze the upgrading of hydrophobic substrates into valuable biobased chemicals. A central challenge is understanding how hydrophobic binding pockets and conformational dynamics govern chemo- and stereoselectivity. The successful candidate will contribute to enzyme engineering supported by computational approaches, conduct biocatalytic studies on engineered and redesigned enzyme variants, and help integrate results into process settings. This postdoc is well suited to researchers with a PhD in biochemistry, chemistry, biotechnology, or a related area, and a strong background in structural biology, computational biology, biocatalysis, or molecular biology. Excellent English skills are required, together with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment. The appointment is for 18 months at 40 hours per week . Salary is paid according to the Austrian university collective agreement, B1 salary group . The post is not funded through an EU programme . Application deadline: 20 November 2026 . Applications should be sent by email to [email protected] and should include the applicant’s name and the project/position number in the subject line. The vacancy page and application guidance are available via the Circular Bioengineering careers website.

The Cluster of Excellence Circular Bioengineering is offering a postdoctoral position on Cyanobacterial biotransformations (Project PD 3.2) at Graz University of Technology in Austria. The project is situated within Program 3, Biocatalytic Processes for Sustainable Synthesis , and is linked to research groups working on enzymatic synthesis. The research focuses on cyanobacterial photobiotransformations as a sustainable biocatalytic reaction platform. The successful candidate will work on the establishment of light-driven biocatalytic reactions and on combining cell engineering , systems biology , and bioreactor engineering to improve productivity. Core tasks include research on enzyme engineering , whole-cell biocatalysis , and photobiocatalysis , as well as documenting results in reports, publications, and conference presentations. This is a temporary part-time postdoc position (30 hours per week) for 27 months , with a start date of 1 November 2026 . Funding is provided at the B1 salary group under the Austrian university collective agreement, with a minimum gross monthly salary stated in the announcement. Eligibility highlights include a PhD or equivalent in Bioprocess Engineering, Biotechnology, Molecular Biosciences, or a related field. Applicants should bring an outstanding academic record, advanced knowledge in biocatalysis, photobiocatalysis, protein chemistry, molecular biology, or whole-cell biotransformation, and excellent English skills. The role also calls for independent scientific work, flexibility, and the ability to thrive in an interdisciplinary environment. Main supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Robert Kourist. Application deadline: 30 September 2026. Applications should be emailed to [email protected] using the required subject format and application form. Further details and formal criteria are available via the Circular Bioengineering careers page.