Research Assistant/Associate - Doctoral Candidate (f/m/d) - in the area of Flow Chemistry/Biocatalysis FSC2 project: “Electro-Driven Production of Building Blocks”

Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Deutschland

Weitere Informationen

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.
The position is to be filled at the earliest possible date and offered for a fixed term of three years.
The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts).
This is a part-time contract position.
The standard weekly hours will be 25,89 hours.
The successful candidate has the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in this position.
The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L).
The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 13 TV-L.

Unser Profil

At the Institute of Applied Microbiology (iAMB) at RWTH Aachen University, researchers are involved in various contributions to a circular bioeconomy. The main objective is the sustainable production of valuable substances from renewable carbon sources for a future bioeconomy. Our Synthetic Microbiology group focuses on designing energy modules for the synthesis of bulk chemicals, fuels, polymers and pharmaceutics. We employ an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating methods from molecular genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, spectroscopy, biocatalysis, and bioprocess engineering. We offer an outstanding research environment with state-of-the-art facilities at the iAMB and strong links to the Cluster of Excellence “The Integrated Fuel & Chemical Science Center (FSC²),” WSS century research center catalaix, and the Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC).

The Synthetic Microbiology Group at the Institute of Applied Microbiology (iAMB), RWTH Aachen University, is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join the FSC² research project Electro-driven Synthesis of Building Blocks. The project focuses on research on electro-powered enzymatic processes to produce valuable chemical intermediates from renewable carbon sources. This research is embedded in the RWTH Excellence Cluster FSC²) and offers an interdisciplinary environment connecting biocatalysis, electrochemistry, analytical chemistry, biotechnology, and process engineering.

The doctoral research will center on the design and characterization of electro-driven multi-step biocatalytic pathways (concatenated synthetic pathways). A particular emphasis lies on flow chemistry, biocatalysis, hydrogenase-driven redox chemistry, and quantitative analytics using GC, HPLC, NMR (including benchtop systems), and MS. The position provides access to state-of-the-art instrumentation and strong collaborative networks within the RWTH and FSC².

References:

[1] Lim G, Calabrese D, Wolder A, Cordero PRF, Rother D, Mulks F, Paul CE, Lauterbach L. 2024 H2-driven biocatalysis for flavin-dependent ene-reduction in a continuous closed-loop flow system utilizing H2 from water electrolysis. Commun Chem. 7:200. doi: 10.1038/s42004-024-01288-y

[2] Schoenmakers P, Rad R, Ihl A, Weickardt I, Guillouet S, Apfel UP, Lauterbach L. 2025 Isopropanol production from carbon dioxide by Cupriavidus necator using a zero-gap cell with culture broth as catholyte. iScience. 28(8):113018 doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.113018

[3] Al-Shameri A, M Petrich M-C, Puring Kj, Apfel U-P, Nestl BM, Lauterbach L 2020 Powering artificial enzymatic cascades with electrical energy Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 59:10929–10933 doi.org/10.1002/anie.202001302

Ihr Profil

Excellent University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, or a related discipline.
Strong experimental skills, especially in analytical chemistry (GC-MS, HPLC, NMR), biochemical assays, and/or molecular biology.
Interest in biocatalysis, electrochemistry, and enzymatic cascade engineering.
High motivation, ability to work independently and in a team, strong communication skills, and very good English proficiency.

Ihre Aufgaben

Development of electro-driven enzymatic reaction cascades.
Quantitative analysis of intermediates and products using GC, HPLC, NMR, and MS.
Characterization of hydrogenases and oxidoreductases coupled to PEM-electrolyzer-derived hydrogen.
Contribution to manuscripts, conference presentations, and supervision of undergraduate researchers.
Collaboration with project partners within the FSC² Excellence Cluster.

How to Apply

Please prepare the following in a single PDF file:

Motivation letter
A brief summary of previous research experience (1 page max)
CV
Copies of your grades and education certificates
Contact information of two referees.

and send your application until the specified application deadline addressed to Dr. Paul Cordero via email to paul.cordero@iamb.rwth-aachen.de. As RWTH Aachen University is committed to equality of opportunity, we ask you not to include a photo in your application.

Über uns

RWTH is a certified family-friendly University. We support our employees in maintaining a good work-life balance with a wide range of health, advising, and prevention services, for example university sports. Employees who are covered by collective bargaining agreements and civil servants have access to an extensive range of further training courses and the opportunity to purchase a job ticket.
RWTH is an equal opportunities employer. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, particularly from groups that are underrepresented at the University. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability or age. RWTH is strongly committed to encouraging women in their careers. Female applicants are given preference if they are equally suitable, competent, and professionally qualified, unless a fellow candidate is favored for a specific reason.
As RWTH is committed to equality of opportunity, we ask you not to include a photo in your application.
You can find information on the personal data we collect from applicants in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at http://www.rwth-aachen.de/dsgvo-information-bewerbung.

Besoldung / Entgelt

EG 13 TV-L