TWO POST-DOC POSITIONS IN ENZYMOLOGY AND MICROBIOMICS

We are seeking two post-doctoral researchers to become part of the Biocatalysis group at the Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (TBI, http://www.toulouse-biotechnology-institute.fr), a leading industrial biotechnology laboratory in France. The TBI covers a wide spectrum of multi-disciplinary research activities to create a continuum “from gene to process”, essential for successful biotechnological innovation. The lab hosts 300 persons, including 80 scientists, 50 engineers and technicians and 170 post-doctoral fellows, PhD students and contractual research engineers. The Biocatalysis group hosts 70 persons in total, including several internationally renowned researchers, who focus their research both on enzyme discovery through functional metagenomics, structure/activity studies and protein engineering for white biotechnology and synthetic biology.

The postdoctoral positions are opened in the frame of the RadicalZ project, recently funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme. RadicalZ assembles an interdisciplinary consortium to deliver faster, more versatile and more affordable tools for enzyme discovery and engineering, enabling the development of novel enzymes, new formulations and ingredients for more environment-friendly and healthier consumer products. This project will: i) develop new droplet microfluidic tools to find suitable enzymes for consumer products; ii) develop user-friendly software solutions based on machine learning (ML) for faster and more accurate enzyme engineering; iii) develop novel enzymes and bio-based, bio-catalytically synthesized ingredients for consumer products (glycosides, wash-enhancing enzymes, bio-based thickeners, natural antioxidants and fragrances); iv) develop bio-based, condition-responsive capsules for the protection and triggered release of enzymes and ingredients in the formulation of consumer products.

In this context, we offer two challenging jobs in an international environment focusing on research and innovation. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect and freedom tempered by responsibility. The successful candidates will be in charge to develop ultra-high throughput screening assays and enzyme evolution strategies for enzyme discovery and engineering.