PhD in biochemistry : functional self-assembling designer protein materials

☞ KU Leuven

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Update day: 16-11-2025

Location: Leuven Flemish Brabant

Category: IT - Software IT - Hardware / Networking Information Technology Production / Operation

Industry: Onderwijs

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The team of prof. Voet is looking for a PhD student biochemistry/biotechnologhy with interest in computational protein design, structural biology and biophysics to design novel protein based materials with applications in biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics and biocatalysis. Over the last decade the field of computational protein design has gained momentum and moved from the design of basic proteins as proof of concepts to protein complexes with useful applications. Among those proof of concept proteins are the monomeric symmetric designer proteins which have been developed the last few years. Given their symmetry, they are the ideal building blocks to create via a so-called bottom-up approach novel materials such as 2D layers and 3D cages or frameworks. Recently we have developed a novel computationally designer protein family named SAKe which is symmetric in nature yet at the core possess modular loops which, inspired by antibodies, can be evolved/altered to bind to certain binding partners. The Laboratory of biomolecular modelling and design is part of the Department of Chemistry and is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to continue the work on these SAKe proteins. You will be engineering 2D layers and 3D cages to investigate the formation mechanism, enhance the stability, and develop applications in the field of either enzyme-cascading, biocatalysis, templating of inorganic catalysts, diagnostics and or biopharmaceuticals, targeted drug delivery. Our laboratory is an interdisciplinary team where computational protein and drug design is combined with protein biophysics, biochemistry and protein crystallography.

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Project
We have recently desigend a set of modular symmetric proteins. We have been able to create 2D layers and 3D cages with them. During your PhD; you ( together we a second colleague researcher) will further engineer these proteins on a rational way (including computational and experimental work) to improve their stability. Next we will deliver proof of principle of applications of the 2D layers in cascading enzymatic reactions (both 3D-cages and 2D arrays) as well as diagnostics (2D arrays) or drug delivery (3d cages).

This project is embedded in a larger collaboration with the group of Prof Steven De Feyter, also at the department of chemistry to perform Atomic Force Microscopy and the group of Prof. Vitor Pinheiro (REGA institute, KU Leuven). Furthermore our laboratory is part of the PharmAbs consortium which develops pharmaceuticals and diagnostic antibodies.
Profile
It is important to have an independent problem-solving academic mindset. Your profile should include:
  • Recently graduated Master student in biochemistry/biotechnology (cum laude)
  • Master thesis experience in areas including at least one of following disciplines :
  • Protein production and characterisation
  • Atomic force microscopy
  • Biomolecular modelling / scripting
  • Protein crystallography or CryoEM
  • Social and result-driven personality
  • Excellent communicator in English, written and verbal
  • Ability to work and thrive in a collaborative team-orientated environment
Offer
  • The opportunity to be part of a multidisciplinary international research lab
  • Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure
  • A dynamic working environment and a stimulating scientific surrounding in a young, enthusiastic, motivated team
  • A 4-year position with an initial contract of 1 year extended following a positive evaluation by your PhD advisory committee.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Arnout Voet, tel.: +32 16 32 44 96, mail: arnout.voet@kuleuven.be.

You can apply for this job no later than March 31, 2022 via the online application tool

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.
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Deadline: 31-12-2025

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