Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen (The Netherlands) enjoys an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative centre of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Flexible study programmes and academic career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 37,000 students and researchers alike to develop their own individual talents. As one of the best research universities in Europe, the University of Groningen has joined forces with other top universities and networks worldwide to become a truly global centre of knowledge.

The position we offer will be embedded in the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP) within the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology (CBP, https://www.rug.nl/research/grip/cpb/). Researchers at GRIP strive to find new and innovative drugs and therapies and wish to improve the production and use of existing drugs. Bridging the gap between the fundamental natural sciences (such as chemistry and physics) and the medical/clinical sciences in the field of medicinal products is the one of the core activities of the institute. The CPB department is represented by an enthusiastic group of researchers from different parts of the world. The cell (and its components) as producer and target for pharmaceuticals is the main part of the research at CBP. The head of the CBP department is Prof. G.J. Poelarends.

Research of the Poelarends group is aimed at the discovery and design of novel biocatalysts and biosynthetic pathways for the production of pharmaceutically relevant products. One area of interest is the development of new biocatalysts and multienzymatic cascades for efficient asymmetric synthesis of noncanonical amino acids with biologically important properties. Another area of interest is the development of enantioselective biocatalysts for oxidation, reduction, hydration, Michael addition, hydroamination, and aldol addition reactions as broadly useful synthetic bond-forming methodologies for the production of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Finally, we work on the characterization and optimization of photobiocatalytic systems for abiological transformations.

The postdoc will focus on the development of new photoenzymatic systems based on either cofactor chemical reactivity or favourable substrate-activation modes. Starting enzymes include flavoenzymes, such as nitroreductases, and type-1 aldolases. The postdoc will collaborate with an experienced assistant professor, and one or two PhD students, all working on related research topics. The postdoc is expected to co-supervise PhD students working on photo(biocatalysis) and assist in the editing of scientific papers and reports.

We are looking for candidates who meet the following requirements:

• a PhD degree in chemistry
• knowledge and skills in photobiocatalysis are necessary, knowledge and skills in synthetic chemistry are strongly recommended
• a relevant publication record demonstrating your ability to publish international academic publications, preferably in top tier peer-reviewed journals
• the ability to communicate verbally and in written form in English
• the ability to act as a team-player, and experience in supervision of PhD students is a plus.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see University of Groningen’s English Language Requirements for details.

Fixed-term contract: 12 Months.

We offer you, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• a salary of € 3,557 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 4,670 gross per month (salary scale 10) based on a full-time position and dependent on qualification and work experience
• excellent secondary terms of employment
• a fulltime position
• a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• participation in a pension scheme for employees
• a personal budget of € 1,000 per year for additional training and career activities.
• a temporary appointment for a specified period of 12 months, with a possibility of extension.

The starting date is flexible, but preferably as soon as possible.