PhD student position
Topic: New tools for biocatalyst immobilization
The Molecular Biophotonics group at the Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology (IMET)
of the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf located at the Forschungszentrum Jülich offers a
position for a doctoral student for the development of new tools for protein immobilization
starting in February- March 2015. The work will be carried out in close cooperation with
partners from RWTH Aachen and IBG-1: Biotechnology (Forschungszentrum Jülich).
Background
Although the application of biocatalysis in industry has significantly increased in the last
decade, biocatalytic steps are still not part of the common chemical repertoire. In order to
make biocatalysts more attractive for routine application in chemical labs and industry,
efficient, cheap and stable immobilization methods are required. In recent years, new
concepts have been developed in our working group together with cooperation partners for
single enzymes, which now should be tested on a broader basis.
Your project:
You will develop and test new immobilization concepts for biocatalysts. Therefore different
enzyme classes, which are well established in our working group, will be immobilized by
different methods. The project involves cloning and expression of the respective enzyme
constructs, lab-scale characterization of the immobilizates as well as extension of the
strategy to co-immobilized enzymes and cascade reactions.
Your profile:
The ideal candidate should have a Master degree in biochemistry, biology or biotechnology
with a background in enzymology and protein chemistry. Knowledge of general molecular
biological methods, microbiological techniques as well as good English communication skills
are mandatory. Experience with immobilization techniques, fluorescence microscopy and
instrumental analysis of (chiral) compounds is advantageous.
Our offer:
We are a research group with excellent experimental equipment embedded in the
international research environment of the Forschungszentrum Jülich.
The Heinrich Heine University offers a doctorate program limited to three years including
salary and social benefits conforming to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the
German Civil Service (salary scale: TV-L 13, 50%).
Please submit your application (including CV, school and university reports, Master
certificate and a survey of practically known experimental techniques) until December 31,
2014
to:
Dr. Ulrich Krauss
Email: u.krauss@fz-juelich.de
Web:www.iet.uni-duesseldorf.de/unsere-arbeitsgruppen/unsere-arbeitsgruppen/molecularbiophotonics-dr-krauss.html