PhD position in controlled degradation of nanorobots via computationally-engineered biocatalysts

vor 2 Wochen

Graz, Steiermark, Österreich Unist Vollzeit

PhD Position in Molecular Medicine

Organisation/Company: Medical University Graz, Department PhD program

Research Field: Chemistry, Computational chemistry, Biological sciences, Biological engineering, Technology, Biotechnology

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions

Country: Austria

Application Deadline: 21 Mar 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Vienna)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 40

Offer Starting Date: 1 Oct 2025

Funding: Horizon Europe - MSCA

Offer Description

Background

Small-scale robotics, ranging from just a few nanometers to sub-millimeters, has made remarkable strides in healthcare and environmental applications. These tiny marvels offer innovative solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges. However, a critical roadblock remains: enhancing energy efficiency and ensuring sustainable materials throughout their life cycle.

Currently, most materials used in micro/nanorobotics are neither sourced nor produced in Europe, highlighting the urgent need for greener alternatives. Addressing this, the GREENS Initiative, a cutting-edge project funded by the European Commission under the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network, is forging interdisciplinary connections between small-scale robotics and fields like green chemistry, sustainability, and the circular economy.

A standout objective of the GREENS program is to explore how biocatalysts can extend the life cycle and improve the degradation processes of micro/nanorobots. Here, computational methods are playing a transformative role, especially in the realm of enzyme engineering. These advanced tools are paving the way for more efficient, eco-friendly robotic designs, bringing us closer to a sustainable future.

Hypothesis and Objectives

The primary aim of this PhD position is to design and develop innovative enzyme scaffolds with precisely tailored properties, enabling the efficient degradation of materials used in micro/nanorobots.

Methodology

The PhD project focuses on identifying and designing enzyme activities à-la-carte (i.e., lipases, esterases, ferritin, and silicases) to achieve controlled degradation of materials used in micro/nanorobots. Cutting-edge approaches, including de-novo design, computer-aided enzyme redesign using classical and quantum mechanics, and machine learning, will be employed alongside the development of precise enzymatic assays and high-throughput robotic platforms to deliver novel enzyme activities. The selected enzymes will be heterologously expressed and meticulously tested for their efficiency in breaking down various robotic chassis materials, including iron-based structures, silica biotemplates, polysaccharides, vegetable oils, and polycaprolactone (PCL). Additionally, these biocatalysts will be integrated into the robotic structures to enhance their life cycle and sustainability.

The successful PhD candidate will have the exceptional opportunity to join a multinational, interdisciplinary scientific network while collaborating closely with an innovative enterprise specializing in bioprocess development, bridging academia and industry.

Minimum Requirements
  • Career Stage: Supported researchers must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
  • Mobility Rule: Candidates must not have resided or conducted their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Austria for more than 12 months within the three years immediately preceding their recruitment.
  • Nationality: Researchers from any country are eligible, including those from non-European countries.
  • Detailed Curriculum Vitae (with added list of publications, participation in funded research projects, other qualifications, if any, must be included)
  • Certified copy of Academic Degree/s in original language along with a certified translation into English, and/or Diploma Supplement (if applicable)
  • Certified copies of official Academic Transcripts relating to all academic courses taken to earn every degree (bachelor/master or equivalent), translated into English, and corresponding grade point average
  • Copy of passport (or, for EU citizens, equivalent ID document)
  • Hands-on computational methods for protein engineering
  • Knowledge in molecular biology techniques for heterologous protein expression
Languages

ENGLISH Level: Excellent

Additional Information
  • Interdisciplinary and international environment
  • As an employee of the Medical University of Graz, the PhD candidate will have access to several services.

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Laboratory of Computer-Aided Molecular Design, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Otto-Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz

Country: Austria

State/Province: Steiermark

City: Graz

Postal Code: 8010

Street: Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6/III

#J-18808-Ljbffr

  • PhD Student Position

    Vor 2 Tagen

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich Euraxess Vollzeit

    Organisation/Company: Graz University of TechnologyDepartment: Institute of Analysis and Number TheoryResearch Field: MathematicsResearcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)Country: AustriaApplication Deadline: 30 Mar 2025 - 22:00 (UTC)Type of Contract: TemporaryJob Status: Full-timeHours Per Week: 30Offer Starting Date: 1 Aug 2025Is the job funded...

  • Product Manager Engineered Pumps

    vor 1 Woche

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich ANDRITZ Vollzeit

    Product Manager Engineered Pumps - ID 15175en_US Graz Every day, ANDRITZ continues to deliver successful innovative solutions to our customers globally. Why are we so successful? Because we are passionate and love what we do We are at the forefront of future engineering technologies, with solutions that ensure the success of our clients in key...

  • phd student position

    Vor 2 Tagen

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich EURAXESS Czech Republic Vollzeit

    Austrian Academy of Sciences, The Human Resource DepartmentOrganisation/Company: Austrian Academy of Sciences, The Human Resource DepartmentResearch Field: Astronomy » AstrophysicsResearcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)Positions: PhD PositionsCountry: AustriaApplication Deadline: 11 Mar 2025 - 23:55 (Europe/Brussels)Type of Contract: TemporaryJob...

  • Universitätsassistentin / PhD-Position in Bauprojektmanagement

    vor 7 Stunden

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich TU Graz - Technische Universität Graz Vollzeit

    Die Technische Universität Graz sucht eine erfahrene Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin für die Stelle eines PhD-Kandidaten im Bereich Baubetrieb und Bauwirtschaft.Ihre Aufgaben:Lehre und Forschung in den Bereichen Baubetrieb und Bauwirtschaft.Mitwirkung bei der Betreuung von Studierenden.Arbeit in einem internationalen Umfeld und Mitwirkung bei...

  • PhD Student Position in Microbiome Science

    vor 2 Wochen

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich Medizinische Universität Graz Vollzeit

    PhD Student Position in Microbiome ScienceLife-long relationship with microbes, now studying them for a living.PhD positionStart: October 2025Deadline: March 21, 2025Application through phd-recruiting.medunigraz.at.Project: Designing the niche space of the human gut microbiomeVirtually every surface of our planet is colonized by microbes and the human body...

  • PhD position with research focus on condition monitoring of key power unit components using aco

    Vor 2 Tagen

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich LEC GMBH Vollzeit

    PhD position with research focus on condition monitoring of key power unit components using acoustic emissions and machine learning (m/f/d)The operational safety, efficiency, and emissions of large internal combustion engines (ICE) in power generation and transportation applications depend greatly on the reliable operation of key power unit components such...

  • Universitätsassistentin / PhD Position (m/w/d) im Bereich Baubetrieb und Bauwirtschaft

    vor 1 Woche

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich Technische Universität Graz Vollzeit

    Institut für Baubetrieb und Bauwirtschaft Universitätsassistent*in / PhD Position (m/w/d) im Bereich Baubetrieb und Bauwirtschaft * Veröffentlicht: 02.10.2024 * Bewerbungsfrist: 31.03.2025 * Stellenart: Wissenschaftliches Personal * Stellenprofil: Universitätsassistent:in PreDoc * Dienstbeginn: Juni 2025 * Befristung: 48 Monate * Wochenstunden:...

  • Scientist - Computational Fluid Mechanics (PhD possible)

    Vor 2 Tagen

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH Vollzeit

    For our team / Area 1 "Science of Quality"we are looking for an active, highly qualified (m/f/x)(Senior / Principal) Scientist - Computational Fluid MechanicsPhD possibleRef.No SK122Duties and responsibilitiesDevelop and apply Eulerian and Lagrangian CFD methods on different length scales to simulate pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. These...

  • Universitätsassistentin / PhD Position (m/w/d) im Bereich Baubetrieb und Bauwirtschaft

    vor 2 Wochen

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich Technische Universität Graz Vollzeit

    Institut für Baubetrieb und BauwirtschaftUniversitätsassistent*in / PhD Position (m/w/d) im Bereich Baubetrieb und BauwirtschaftVeröffentlicht: 02.10.2024Bewerbungsfrist: 31.03.2025Stellenart: Wissenschaftliches PersonalStellenprofil: Universitätsassistent:in PreDocDienstbeginn: Juni 2025Befristung: 48 MonateWochenstunden: 40 h/WAnstellungsverhältnis:...

  • Lecturer with PhD

    vor 2 Wochen

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich Unist Vollzeit

    Organisation/Company: Karl-Franzens-University GrazDepartment: Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesResearch Field: Pharmacological sciencesResearcher Profile: Established Researcher (R3)Country: AustriaApplication Deadline: 6 Mar 2025 - 23:00 (UTC)Type of Contract: TemporaryJob Status: Full-timeHours Per Week: 40Offer Starting Date: 1 Mar 2025Is the job...

  • Universitätsassistentin / PhD Position (m/w/d) im Bereich Baubetrieb und Bauwirtschaft

    vor 17 Stunden

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich TU Graz - Technische Universität Graz Vollzeit

    #job-tu_graz .angebot li::before {display:none;} DIE TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT GRAZ SUCHT: Institut für Baubetrieb und Bauwirtschaft Universitätsassistent*in / PhD Position (m/w/d)im Bereich Baubetrieb und Bauwirtschaft Veröffentlicht: 02.10.2024Bewerbungsfrist: 31.03.2025Stellenart: Wissenschaftliches PersonalStellenprofil:...

  • Medical Specialist

    Vor 2 Tagen

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich Euraxess Vollzeit

    Organisation/Company: Graz Medical UniversityDepartment: HRResearch Field: Medical sciences » MedicineResearcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)Positions: PhD PositionsCountry: AustriaApplication Deadline: 20 Mar 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin)Type of Contract: TemporaryJob Status: Full-timeIs the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?...

  • Technical Sales Support and Order Execution

    vor 16 Stunden

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich ANDRITZ Vollzeit

    Technical Sales Support and Order Execution - ID 15247en_US Graz ANDRITZ Pumps is a leading manufacturer of centrifugal pumps with a broad, competitive product and application portfolio and global manufacturing and sales presence. Our main manufacturing locations are found in Austria, China, India, and Brazil. We develop, manufacture, and distribute...

  • Professor of Multilingualism and Language Typology

    Vor 2 Tagen

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich Euraxess Vollzeit

    Organisation/Company: Karl-Franzens-University GrazDepartment: Human ResourcesResearch Field: Language sciences » LinguisticsResearcher Profile: Leading Researcher (R4)Positions: Postdoc PositionsCountry: AustriaApplication Deadline: 30 Apr 2025 - 00:00 (Europe/Brussels)Type of Contract: TemporaryJob Status: Full-timeIs the job funded through the EU...

  • Medical Specialist

    vor 16 Stunden

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich Euraxess Vollzeit

    Organisation/Company: Graz Medical UniversityDepartment: HRResearch Field: Medical sciences » MedicineResearcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)Positions: PhD PositionsCountry: AustriaApplication Deadline: 20 Mar 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin)Type of Contract: TemporaryJob Status: Full-timeHours Per Week: 40Is the job funded through the EU Research...

  • Professor of Macroeconomics and Economic Policy

    Vor 2 Tagen

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich Euraxess Vollzeit

    Organisation/Company: Karl-Franzens-University GrazDepartment: Human ResourcesResearch Field: Economics » OtherResearcher Profile: Leading Researcher (R4)Positions: Postdoc PositionsCountry: AustriaApplication Deadline: 26 Mar 2025 - 00:00 (Europe/Brussels)Type of Contract: TemporaryJob Status: Full-timeIs the job funded through the EU Research Framework...

  • Professor of Deep Time in Paleontology

    vor 2 Wochen

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich Euraxess Vollzeit

    Department of Earth Sciences at the Natural Sciences FacultyOrganisation/Company: Karl-Franzens-University GrazDepartment: Department of Earth Sciences at the Natural Sciences FacultyResearch Field: OtherResearcher Profile: Leading Researcher (R4)Positions: Postdoc PositionsCountry: AustriaApplication Deadline: 12 Mar 2025 - 00:00 (Europe/Brussels)Type of...

  • Backend Developer Trainee Position

    Vor 2 Tagen

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich NETCONOMY GmbH Vollzeit

    Company OverviewNETCONOMY GmbH has evolved significantly over the past 20 years. From a startup to a team of 500 people across 10 European locations, we have grown into a leading digital solutions provider. Our core philosophy revolves around agile methodologies and cross-functional collaboration, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to...

  • Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin

    vor 10 Stunden

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich TU Graz - Technische Universität Graz Vollzeit

    Die Technische Universität Graz bietet eine vielseitige Arbeitsumgebung an, in der wir unsere Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler unterstützen und fördern möchten.Zu Ihren Aufgaben gehören:Lehre und Forschung in den Bereichen Baubetrieb und Bauwirtschaft.Mitwirkung bei der Betreuung von Studierenden.Arbeit in einem internationalen Umfeld und...

  • Head of Power Electronics Research Group

    Vor 6 Tagen

    Graz, Steiermark, Österreich Karlstad University Vollzeit

    About the JobThe Head of Research Unit – Power Electronic Architectures and Topologies is responsible for leading our power electronics research group, focusing on developing innovative solutions for power electronic converter systems.Main DutiesDevelop and manage research projects with industrial and academic partners.Lead a team of researchers in...