Job Description
Postdoctoral researcher on enzyme characterization and enzyme engineering
Job requisition Id:  16265
Job type:  Academic staff
Contract hours min:  38
Contract hours max:  38
Location:  Leiden
Applying is possible until:  5 februari 2026
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Project description

We are hiring a postdoctoral scientist to join our EU-funded team on genetic engineering of bacteria to generate sustainable cell factories. The project aims to develop a high efficiency technology that converts single-carbon feedstocks directly into valuable chemicals. To this end, scientists with expertise in metabolic engineering, enzyme engineering, computational modelling, and process optimization will work together. By combining microbial strains with synthetic metabolism with engineered enzymes and efficient pathways for substrate assimilation, the project promises a simplified and sustainable method for converting single-carbon feedstocks into multi-carbon compounds.

Key responsibilities

This postdoc position will focus on characterizing and engineering enzymes for the efficient conversion of single-carbon feedstocks. The scientist will perform biochemical characterization of naturally occurring enzymes and improve their properties via enzyme engineering, based on diverse approaches including structure-based mutagenesis, growth-coupled selection, and directed evolution. This will be done in collaboration with several different partner institutions across Europe. The scientist will be involved in an interdisciplinary, innovative synthetic biology project in a productive scientific environment.

 

Selection Criteria

    • A PhD degree in biochemistry, biotechnology, synthetic biology, microbiology, or a related discipline 
    • Practical experience with heterologous protein production, purification, and characterization via spectrophotometric or LC-MS-based assays
    • Background in enzyme engineering via targeted or random mutagenesis, high-throughput screening of sequence libraries, directed evolution, or growth coupling
    • Expertise in enzyme structure analysis via crystallography or cryo-EM techniques is advantageous
    • Interest in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology
    • Ability to work in a highly collaborative international project and able to undertake international travel

Where you will work

Curiosity and passion for science are what connect our people: the desire to know, understand, interpret, explain and create. Our mission is to provide excellent teaching and research across the full breadth of the sciences, contributing to solutions for major societal challenges. Our eight institutes, ranging from mathematics, computer science, astronomy, physics, chemistry, and biopharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences, along with the Lorentz Center and the Hortus botanicus, form the backbone of our faculty and have a strong mutual interconnectedness. 
 
We work in a safe, stimulating and international environment where people work and study with pleasure and passion, and where building connections and collaboration, both within and beyond the faculty, are a clear choice. The faculty has over 2,700 staff members and more than 6,000 students enrolled in nine bachelor's and fifteen master's programmes. We are located in the heart of the Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s largest science parks, where academia and industry meet.
 
Research at the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) aims to contribute to the scientific foundation of biodiversity and health. This is reflected in our guiding principle: Harnessing Biodiversity for Health. We conduct innovative research to answer fundamental questions as well as solution-driven research to address major societal challenges, such as protecting natural biodiversity, developing sustainable biotechnology and agriculture, and improving human health. Our research focuses on four themes: Bioactive Molecules, Host-Microbe Interactions, Development & Disease, and Evolution & Biodiversity. Situated in a dynamic scientific environment alongside the Faculty of Science, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden University Medical Center, and the Leiden Bio Science Park, IBL offers an engaging, internationally oriented, and inclusive place to work and study.

What we offer

  
Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.
 
You can count on an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.
 

We offer a full-time, fixed-term post from 01-05-2026 until 31-07-2028. Salary range from € 3546 to € 5538 gross per month (pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

What we find important

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.

Want to apply or find out more?

  
If you want to apply straight away, click the application button. 

Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents:

  •     Motivation letter including clear explanation of experience with enzyme characterization and enzyme engineering
  •     Curriculum vitae
  •     Name and contact details (email) of 2-3 referees
 
If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Dr. Lennart Schada von Borzyskowski, Assistant Professor at the IBL (L.Schada.von.Borzyskowski@biology.leidenuniv.nl). 

If you have any questions about the procedure, please contact Christina Kamerman (HR@biology.leidenuniv.nl).

Only applications received before 5 February 2026 can be considered. Interviews will be held in February/March. Decision will be taken in March 2026. Preferred start date is May 2026 or shortly afterwards.
Apply now
Information at a Glance
Faculty / Unit:  The Faculty of Science
Contact with (Name + position):  Christina Kamerman
Contact Email address:  c.j.kamerman@biology.leidenuniv.nl