"PhD Position - Marie Curie network MetaExplore: Functional Metagenomics - Novel Biocatalysts for a Sustainable Circular Economy from Ultrahigh throughput Screening"

Location: Central Cambridge

A doctoral position is available to work with Florian Hollfelder at the Biochemistry Department of Cambridge University. The project is part of the Horizon Europe Eu Marie Curie Network MetaExplore and involves collaborations with various EU and UK groups on harnessing environmental sources for novel biocatalysts that may play a role in future sustainable processes with higher resource and energy efficiency.

We will develop ultrahigh throughput assays to screen metagenomic libraries for new catalysts for applications in recycling, bioremediation and green chemistry. Candidate enzymes are mechanistically investigated, structurally characterised and subsequently improved by directed evolution. Ultrahigh-throughput screening in microfluidic picoliter droplets allows us to interrogate enzyme libraries with more than 10 million members experimentally in a day, increasing the chances of success in catalyst discovery.

Various collaborations with MetaExplore network partners across Europe allow a particularly wide skills training, including experimental and computational work.

Applicants should thus have a first (or upper second) class degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related, relevant subject. Familiarity with molecular and chemical biology techniques and specific skills in assay development, enzyme kinetics, DNA library generation, structural biology, organic synthesis, high-throughput screening, mechanistic enzymology, bioinformatics and microfluidic engineering are advantages.

Applications should contain a description of research interests (e.g. as part of the cover letter), a detailed CV (with exam marks and all relevant practical experience) and a list of publications. Please also include the names and email addresses of at least two referees, who are familiar with your research work.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available from 1st February 2026 until 31st January 2030, in the first instance.