Modern metabolic engineering aims to design new microbial strains that produce products with a commercial value at high yield. It relies on the integration of microbial physiology, genetic engineering, systems biology, and computational biology. Since the product-forming metabolic pathway competes for energetic resources with growth processes, growth and product formation are coupled. This coupling complicates the design of product-forming pathways, as it often brings about undesired side effects.
In this project, we aim to reduce this coupling by making the product-forming pathway reliant on its own intracellular energy source. Although this makes the genetic engineering more involved, it uncouples cell growth and product formation.
You will be responsible for the computational prediction of promising genetic-engineering strategies of metabolism, using genome-scale stoichiometric models of metabolism and enzyme-kinetic considerations, and report this to other consortium members who will construct the corresponding microbial strains.
You will be working in a consortium of PhD students and expert supervisors that work on genetic engineering of enzyme activities, genetic engineering of metabolic pathways, and the physiology of genetically-engineered strains.

Your duties

• Carry out computational metabolic engineering studies and advice genetic engineers on novel designs of metabolic networks in S. cerevisiae and E. coli for the uncoupling of growth and product formation with alternative redox factors, using genome-scale stoichiometric modeling methods
• Use enzyme-kinetics considerations and mathematical models to evaluate regulatory consequences of the redesigned metabolisms
• Collaborate with experimentalists working in the same project on genetic-engineering and physiological evaluation of the performance of genetically-engineered strains
• Work on a general theory of the application of alternative redox for biotechnological purposes

• You have a MSc in Metabolic Engineering, Biotechnology, Systems Biology or Computational Biology
• You are fascinated by the logic of microbial metabolism
• You have experience with mathematical modelling of metabolism, preferable genome-scale stoichiometric modelling of metabolism
• You enjoy collaborative research that is both fundamental and applied.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,541 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €3,247 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 1 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a duration of 4 years.
Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance)
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor - from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 30,000 students. We employ over 5,500 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to more than 11,000 students.