Within the Department of Biotechnology, the Biocatalysis (BOC) Section brings together five Principle Investigators (PIs) in the area of biocatalysis, enzymology, organic chemistry and molecular imaging. Our research on fundamental understanding of enzymes and the application thereof in organic chemistry, forms the basis for the application of enzymes in industrial processes. Green Chemistry is one of our leitmotivs. Projects range from fundamental insight into enzymatic principles, to engineering of enzymes and integration of these enzymes into novel synthetic procedures.

We are looking for an assistant professor in enzymology/enzyme engineering to complement our current team. At present we have PIs with a clear focus on the applications of enzymes, one PI with a focus on understanding enzyme mechanisms, and one PI on medical imaging. As an Assistant Professor you will perform fundamental, application-inspired research in the area of enzymology. You will use enzyme engineering as a key experimental approach, or instead focus on computational enzyme engineering. In our team we support each other in a collaborative environment and share facilities and responsibilities, however each PI has a clearly distinct research line.

As an assistant professor at TU Delft you will get the support, opportunity and freedom to initiate and advance your independent, cutting-edge research line. You will benefit from our state-of-the-art research infrastructure and technical assistance from our highly-trained technical support staff. We look forward to discussing the specific needs to start your research line, for which resources are available.

We are looking for a colleague who shares our drive to push the boundaries of knowledge and contribute to world-class education. As an Assistant Professor in Enzymology/Enzyme Engineering you will teach enzymology/biochemistry related courses to BSc and MSc students and supervise MSc and PhD students.

Department and section

Within the department of Biotechnology the Biocatalysis (BOC) Section focusses on the fundamental understanding of enzymes and the application thereof in organic chemistry. The combination of biocatalysts and chemocatalysts in one-pot processes is one of the key expertise’s in the group. In addition, the search for novel enzymes and novel activities through a combination of smart concise library design, screening with generic assays and bioinformatics modelling, denoted as molecular enzyme evolution, is a growing area. In particular for the future of biomass utilization, novel enzymes are expected to make a major contribution as catalysts. In the area of molecular imaging, nanoprobes are designed and synthesized for imaging and therapy applications.

The infrastructure of the section consists of state-of-the-art facilities for bacterial cultivation, molecular biology, protein expression and purification, biochemical analysis, fast kinetics, EPR spectroscopy, chemical analysis (GC and HPLC) and organic chemical synthesis. The university NMR facility is under the administration of the section.

Learn more about the Department of Biotechnology, https://www.bt.tudelft.nl.

You thrive on conducting innovative experimental or computational research within an interdisciplinary academic setting and collaborate with industrial partners. Harnessing your communication skills, you motivate and inspire others to share your vision and research goals. You readily seek assistance, making good use of our scientific knowledge, experience in grant applications and mentoring. You enjoy coaching, teaching, and engaging with students, all while continuously advancing your own academic journey.

 You also have:

• A PhD in (bio)chemistry or the equivalent and a publication track record in a relevant area of science and technology;
• A vision on an independent research line in the field of experimental or computational enzymology/enzyme engineering;
• A good command of spoken and written English, as you’ll be working in an internationally diverse community. And a command of Dutch, or the willingness to learn the language, to facilitate first-year BSc teaching.

Fixed-term contract: 18 maanden.

This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme as part of the Academic Career Track Development programme.

TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged and you can work partly from home.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service addresses the needs of new international employees and those of their partners and families. The Coming to Delft Service offers personalised assistance during the preparation of the relocation, finding housing and schools for children (if applicable). In addition, a Dual Career Programme for partners is offered. The Coming to Delft Service will do their best to help you settle in the Netherlands.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.