Postdoc in Protein Engineering and Spatial Glycobiology of Microbial Biofilms

Postdoc in Protein Engineering and Spatial Glycobiology of Microbial Biofilms
Aalborg University
Aalborg, Denmark
Would you like to develop new fluorescent tools to visualize the sugar polymers that hold microbial biofilms together? We are looking for a curious and collaborative postdoctoral researcher to develop a new generation of molecular probes and use them to study complex microbial communities.
Your work tasks
Your primary responsibility will be to develop and validate fluorescent molecular probes based on catalytically inactive glycanases. These enzymes will be engineered to retain their selective binding to specific exopolysaccharides while losing their catalytic activity. Your work will involve molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification, structure-informed protein engineering, site-directed mutagenesis, and fluorescent labeling. You will evaluate probe specificity and binding properties using purified reference polysaccharides and defined microbial cultures and optimize the probes for fluorescence imaging.
In collaboration with colleagues in microbiology and bioinformatics, you will identify environmentally relevant glycanases associated with exopolysaccharide production and degradation in complex microbial communities. This work will combine genome-resolved microbiome analysis, enrichment cultures, and transcriptomic approaches to identify promising candidate enzymes, which will subsequently be incorporated into the probe-development and validation pipeline.
You will also apply the developed probes to investigate the spatial organization of exopolysaccharides in activated sludge flocs, granules, and microbial biofilms. By combining fluorescence microscopy with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), you will investigate relationships between exopolysaccharide distribution, microbial identity, and community structure. The position includes experimental planning, data analysis, preparation of scientific publications, and collaboration with researchers at Aalborg University and Professor Jochen Schmid at the University of Münster.
Your competencies
Applicants must hold a PhD in biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a closely related discipline. Demonstrated hands-on experience in molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification, and protein engineering is essential. A strong understanding of protein structure–function relationships is particularly important.
Experience with site-directed mutagenesis, carbohydrate-active enzymes, biochemical binding assays, or fluorescent protein labeling is highly desirable. Experience in microbiology, bioinformatics, metagenomics, and transcriptomics would be an advantage.

Qualification requirements

Appointment as postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.
Apply Now
Deadline 1 December
Don't forget to mention EuroScienceJobs when applying.
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Denmark
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Biochemistry
Biology
Biotechnology and Genetics
Microbiology
On-site
Postdoc
Aalborg University