DC5: Engineering of stable and promiscuous flavin-dependent halogenases

ORGANISATION

Founded in the early sixties of the last century to address the challenges of structural change in the region, the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) has developed into one of Germany's largest research universities (over 37,700 students distributed among 21 Faculties). It hosts the full spectrum of academic disciplines on its campus – the humanities and social sciences, the natural sciences and medicine as well as engineering. Collaborative research across traditional disciplinary boundaries, a university-wide Research School for early career researchers and knowledge networks at the local, regional, and international level highlight RUB's distinct institutional research profile. The position we offer will be embedded in the Microbial Biotechnology group (MBT, ) within the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology (Faculty, ). Researchers at our Faculty perform interdisciplinary research in all fields of biology from a fundamental as well as from an applied point of view. Cross-discipline cooperations provide an exciting and inspiring environment which is complemented by state-of-the-art infrastructure such as mass spectrometry facility, imaging facility, the centre for protein diagnostics and the centre for system-based antibiotic research among other initiatives.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The main part of your PhD research (4 years in total) will be carried out at Ruhr University Bochum (RUB, Germany) under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Dirk Tischler in the Microbial Biotechnology group (MBT) at the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology. Within these four years, an academic research stay (of 12 months) will take place at the University of Milan (UMIL, Italy) under the supervision of Prof. Martina Contente. Additionally, two secondments at the company Provolut (Germany) and at the TU Delft with Prof. Caroline Paul (The Netherlands) are foreseen. The Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) – Doctoral Network (DN) project starts in January 2026. The date of recruitment and start of the PhD project is planned for April 2026 and latest in December 2026. Your PhD degree (so-called double degree) will be awarded based on successful completion of the research work from two universities (RUB, Germany and UMIL, Italy). You will also be required to participate in the training events and workshops organized by the DN- Joint Doctorates (JD) program. As a MSCA fellow, you are also expected to contribute your time in the dissemination of your PhD project's result through public engagement and other scientific platforms.

The PhD research will focus on:

• Interdisciplinary project on bioinformatics, enzyme engineering, and (flow) biocatalysis,
• Computationally-guided enzyme engineering of flavin-dependent halogenases (industrial secondments),
• Semi-rational design and directed evolution approaches on selected halogenase scaffolds,
• Protein production and operational performance determination,
• Testing catalysts for substrate promiscuity and product isolation (academic secondment),
• Application of halogenases in flow biocatalysis / in cascades (academic secondment)

Primary supervisor: Prof. Dr. Dirk Tischler

Secondary supervisor: Prof. Dr. Martina Contente

Recruiting institution: Ruhr University Bochum (Germany)

Double degree awarding institution: University of Milan (Italy)

QUALIFICATIONS

• An outstanding M.Sc. degree in (Molecular) Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemistry or related field
• Eligible as a graduate student at Ruhr University Bochum (Germany)
• Research experience in molecular biology (molecular cloning), analytical methods (HPLC, GC, MS, NMR etc.), enzyme purification and assays, bioinformatic experiences are beneficial
• Ability to work in an international team
• Inter- and multidisciplinary thinking
• High motivation
• An integrative and cooperative personality with excellent communication and social skills
• Fluency in English – written and oral

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

We offer you in accordance with the regulations of the state North Rhine-Westphalia

• a fully supported PhD project
• RUB offers a topping-up of allowances financed by the EU to allow for payment according to the salary scale for scientific staff (TVL 13).
• If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no teaching obligations.
• It is possible to participate in the training and to supervise students (B.Sc. and M.Sc. level).
• A respective training program is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the International Graduate School of Biosciences (IGB).

The (full time) appointment is temporary for a specified period of four years. The preferred starting date is between April 1st and July 1st 2026.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

To apply for the position, kindly provide:

• A letter of motivation including a statement of your research interests, relevant skills and experience and an explanation for the choice of position(s);
• A CV including publication list (if applicable);
• Names and contact details of up to three referees willing to write confidential letters of recommendation;
• Copies of relevant diplomas including explanation of international grades.

Please upload applications only according to instructions at

Address applications to: Prof. Dirk Tischler

The RUB Research School served as a blueprint for the Research Academy Ruhr, which has been set up as a cross-university early career researcher ́s platform of the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr), our strategic alliance with the University of Duisburg-Essen and Technical University Dortmund. Around 10,000 young scientists benefit from the services of the RAR. As one of the largest platforms of its kind in Germany, the RAR offers advanced Master's students, doctoral students and postdocs up to junior professorships the opportunity to establish and expand cross-university networks, strengthen competencies and shape their own career paths in research, business and society. Our ongoing efforts to foster equal opportunity and diversity concentrate especially on the decided support and the monitoring of the recruitment of women professors as well as other female faculty and staff. Well-established equal opportunity measures are Target Agreements with faculties, incentive and award programs, and a guideline on gender appropriate appointment procedures. At RUB, we wish to promote women in areas in which they are underrepresented, and would like to encourage female candidates to send us their applications. Applications by suitable candidates with severe disabilities and other applicants with equal legal status are likewise most welcome. Our selection procedure follows the European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers.

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

You may apply until 31st of December :59pm / before 1st of January 2026 Central European Time (CET) for this position by means of the online application form (click on 'Apply' below on the advertisement on the HaloVerse website).