Marie-Curie PhD Studentship - ON-Track (Fixed Term)

Location: Central Cambridge

PhD Studentship - Marie Curie network ON-Tract: Protein engineering of enzymes: in vitro directed evolution and machine learning-based elaboration of biocatalysis for synthesis.

A postdoctoral position is available for 3-years to work with Professor Florian Hollfelder at the Biochemistry Department of Cambridge University (https://hollfelder.bioc.cam.ac.uk/). The project is part of the Horizon Europe Eu Marie Curie Network ON-TRACT (www.on-tract.eu/) and involves collaborations with various EU and UK groups engaged in using oligonucleotides for therapeutic purposes, including anti-cancer therapy.

This postdoctoral project will develop ultrahigh throughput for in vitro evolution of enzymes used in synthetic chemistry relevant for oligonucleotide constructs (chiral synthesis: IREDs, ligases). Starting from diverse libraries made by error-prone PCR, site-saturation mutagenesis and transposon-based InDel mutagenesis in vitro selections will be carried out, followed by long-read nanopore sequencing and deep mutational scanning of the screening output. This approach selects new, efficient enzymes, but also generates unique sequence-function datasets that will be interpreted by regression and tree-based machine learning algorithms to obtain even better mutants and develop mechanistic hypotheses.

Various collaborations with ON-TRACT network partners across Europe allow a particularly wide skills training, including organic synthesis, cell biological and medical work.

Applicants should thus have a first (or upper second) class degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related, relevant subject, followed by a PhD. Familiarity with molecular and chemical biology techniques and specific skills in assay development, enzyme kinetics, DNA library generation, structural biology, organic synthesis, high-throughput screening, mechanistic enzymology, bioinformatics and microfluidic engineering are advantages

Applications should contain a description of research interests (e.g. as part of the cover letter), a detailed CV (with exam marks and all relevant practical experience) and a list of publications. Please also include the names and email addresses of at least two referees, who are familiar with your research work.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available from 1st February 2026 until 31st January 2029, in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Florian Hollfelder via fh111@cam.ac.uk.

For queries regarding the application process, please contact the Biochemistry HR Team via: personnel@bioc.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PH48179 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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