The development of novel glycol-monomers and polymers via biocatalytic pathway

Glycopolymers are polymers that contain renewable carbohydrates as pendant moieties on a synthetic polymer backbone. Glycomonomers, the precursor of these glycopolymers, consist of saccharide units that are linked to a polymerizable group, e.g. a vinyl group that can be radically polymerized. This task will develop novel glycomonomers and gylocpolymers via biocatalytic pathways. For the biocatalytic synthesis of glycomonomers, hydrolases (such as lipases and cutinases) and transferases (such as phoshorylases) will be utilized but also a set of carbohydrate acting enzymes not yet fully classified that are available at the University of Groningen. The range of carbohydrate moieties already available for glycomonomers will be extended from mono-saccharides to di- and oligosaccharides towards saccharide structures with valuable biological functions such as lectin and mannans. For many applications, free radical polymerizations are far from ideal as especially the carbohydrate moieties of the glycomonomers will cause a multitude of side reactions rendering the polymers too undefined to be used. Due to this polymerization by metalloenzyme-mediated free radical polymerization using peroxidases and laccases will be performed.

To achieve this ambitious goal, the selected candidate will collaborate with leading groups throughout Europe both from academia and industry.

The project is part of the EU-funded Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network Metal-Containing Radical Enzymes (MetRaZymes) and involves a multitude of training opportunities.

- you hold an MSc degree (or will graduate before appointment date) in Polymer Chemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Biotechnology or similar subjects
- excellent skills in the domains of synthetic polymer or organic chemistry and characterization and synthesis of polymers are expected
- experience in biocatalysis and physical chemistry are an advantage
- enthusiasm for top-quality research and good oral and written English communication skills are a must.

Applicants may be of any nationality but must fulfill the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions mobility rule: At the time of recruitment at the University of Groningen, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (studies or work) in The Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment.

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

The University offers you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

- a salary of € 2,541 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,247 gross per month in the final year for a full-time working week
- a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance
- a full-time position (1.0 FTE).

The successful candidate will be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected. A PhD training programme is part of the agreement, and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.

The intended PhD starting date is 1 March 2023.

Faculty of Science and Engineering

The University of G