Doctoral Candidate (f/m/d) - in the area of Synthetic Microbiology

At the Institute of Applied Microbiology (iAMB) at RWTH Aachen University, researchers are involved in various contributions to a circular bioeconomy. The main objective is the sustainable production of valuable substances from renewable carbon sources for a future bioeconomy. Our Synthetic Microbiology group focuses on engineering recombinant microorganisms and designing energy modules for the utilization and production of biofuels such as molecular hydrogen and methane. We employ an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating methods from molecular genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, spectroscopy, biocatalysis, and bioprocess engineering. We offer an outstanding research environment with state-of-the-art facilities at the iAMB and strong links to the Cluster of Excellence “The Integrated Fuel & Chemical Science Center (FSC²), WSS century research center catalaix, and the Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC).

The Lauterbach lab at the Institute of Applied Microbiology (iAMB), RWTH Aachen University, is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join the DFG project “Establishing a new platform for H2-driven asymmetric catalysis by design of a fusion-enzyme” in collaboration with the TU Hamburg and TU Delft. [1-3] It focuses on the design of an unprecedented fusion protein combining an O₂-tolerant soluble [NiFe] hydrogenase from Cupriavidus necator with an Old Yellow Enzyme ene-reductase, enabling highly enantioselective reductions powered directly by molecular hydrogen. Central objectives include elucidating synthetic nicotinamide cofactors and direct versus mediated electron transfer within the fusion protein to eliminate the need for costly cofactor regeneration.This project is in close cooperation with Prof. Dr. Andreas Liese and Prof. Dr. Caroline Paul. The platform integrates advanced protein engineering, automated reaction systems, and inline spectroscopic analytics to enable efficient, data-driven process development under continuous-flow conditions.

References:

[1] Al-Shameri A, Willot SJ-P, Paul CE, Hollmann F, Lauterbach L 2020 H2 as a fuel for flavin- and H2O2-dependent biocatalytic reactions Chem. Commun. 56, 9667 – 9670 doi.org/10.1039/D0CC03229H

[2] Reeve HA, Nicholson J, Altaf F, Lonsdale TH, Preissler J, Lauterbach L, Lenz O, Leimkühler S, Hollmann F, Paul CE, Vincent KA. 2022 A hydrogen-driven biocatalytic approach to recycling synthetic analogues of NAD(P)H analogous Chem Commun (Camb) 2022,58, 10540-10543 doi: 10.1039/d2cc02411j

[3] Calabrese, D., Lim, G., Nayyar, P., Wolf, M. E., Cordero, P. R. F., Eltis, L. D., & Lauterbach, L. (2025). H₂-driven biocatalytic O-demethylation of lignin-derived aromatics in a closed-loop flow system powered by water electrolysis. Green Chemistry doi.org/10.1039/D5GC05054E

• Design of fusion enzymes for direct electron transfer
• Design of hydrogenase variants with synthetic nicotinamide cofactor reduction activity
• Evaluation of immobilization strategies and first characterization of different immobilizates
• Publish research findings in high-impact scientific journals
• Supervise undergraduate students
• Interdisciplinary collaboration with other research groups

How to Apply

Please prepare the following in a single PDF file:

• Motivation letter
• A brief summary of previous research experience (1 page max)
• CV
• Copies of your grades and education certificates
• Contact information of two referees.

and send your application addressed to Dr. Subha Ghosh via email to subhasri.ghosh@rwth-aachen.de on or before January 23rd, 2026. As RWTH Aachen University is committed to equality of opportunity, we ask you not to include a photo in your application.To ensure equal opportunities, applications by women with the required qualifications are explicitly supported. Qualified individuals with disabilities will be favored. Please send copies only. Original documents will not be returned.

• A University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, or a related field with excellent academic records
• Demonstrated experience in biocatalysis, molecular biology, computational docking, microbiology, and biochemistry
• Experience in structure predictions, synthetic microbiology, protein engineering, and/or analytics (GC, MS, HPLC) is preferred but not required
• Excellent communication skills
• Proficient in English, both written and spoken

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.
The position is to be filled at the earliest possible date and offered for a fixed term of three years.
The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts).
This is a part-time contract position.
The standard weekly hours will be 25,89 hours.
The successful candidate has the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in this position.
The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L).
The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 13 TV-L.

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