15 Doctoral Candidate positions for MSCA Doctoral Network "Better Biobased Polymer Network (B3P[...]

Graz University of Technology; Österreich; Vor Ort; EUR 60 000 - 80 000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading research institution is recruiting 15 Doctoral Candidates to work on biobased polymer research as part of the Horizon Europe initiative. Positions start in 2026, lasting up to 3 years. Candidates will engage in interdisciplinary training, research, and secondments at partner organizations. A Master's degree and strong English skills are essential for applicants, along with a commitment to scientific collaboration. Applications are due by February 15, 2026.

Leistungen

Comprehensive training program

Networking opportunities

Secondments in Europe

Qualifikationen

• Master's degree required in Chemistry, Engineering, or relevant field.
• Proficient in English (written and spoken).
• Strong commitment to research and ability to collaborate.

Aufgaben

• Research in biobased polymers and related fields.
• Participate in secondments across Europe.
• Attend training and networking events.

Kenntnisse

Knowledge in relevant fields

High proficiency in English

Ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams

Ausbildung

Master's Degree or equivalent

Jobbeschreibung

Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Organisation/Company Graz University of Technology Department Institute of Molecular Biotechnology Research Field Chemistry » Biochemistry Engineering » Process engineering Engineering » Materials engineering Chemistry » Organic chemistry Engineering » Chemical engineering Biological sciences » Biological engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Austria Application Deadline 15 Feb 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Vienna) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement Number 101226305 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Doctoral Network B3PO “Better Biobased Polymer Network” is recruiting 15 highly motivated Doctoral Candidates (DCs). The offered positions will start in 2026 for a maximum duration of 3 years. The fellowships are funded as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme.

B3PO is a collaborative European initiative between academic institutions and industry, offering multidisciplinary scientific knowledge, diverse skill sets, and opportunities for the professional growth of early-career researchers. The B3PO consortium comprises 9 academic laboratories with core expertise in biotechnology, organic polymer synthesis, and materials science, together with world-class industrial players in enzyme and polymer production, as well as four high-tech SMEs.

Background:

The shift to a sustainable, circular economy is a critical global challenge, and chemists play a key role in driving this change. Lignocellulosic feedstocks (LCF), derived from locally available biomass, offer a promising alternative to fossil resources and are central to the European Green Deal. While economically attractive, LCF utilization is far more complex and requires the integration of disciplines such as chemistry, industrial biotechnology, polymer science, and materials engineering. To meet this challenge, the “Better BioBased Polymer (B3PO)” network was established to train a new generation of cross-disciplinary scientists.

The main B3PO objectives are:

• Dis-assembly: To develop integrative “lignin-first” strategies for its extraction, fractionation, and enzymatic functionalization
• Bio-assembly : To synthesize new biobased polyesters from lignocellulosic feedstock
• Re-assembly : To polymerize the bio-based monomers into biobased-polyesters
• DC1: Developing processes for tailored lignin extraction (Complutense University in Madrid, Spain)
• DC2 : Engineering enzymes for lignin-coupled reactions (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Austria)
• DC3 : Reaction engineering of enzyme-assisted lignin modification (Complutense University in Madrid, Spain)
• DC4 : Designing enzyme-assisted grafting of lignin-based biopolymers (Complutense University in Madrid, Spain)
• DC5 : Engineering reactions for derivatization of lignin-derived phenolics (Leibniz University Hannover, Germany)
• DC6 : Enzyme discovery for biopolymer precursor production (Aix Marseille University, France)
• DC7: Machine-learning-guided enzyme engineering for biopolymer precursors (Graz University of Technology) --> will be announced soon
• DC8 : Metabolic engineering of biobased hemiterpenoid synthesis (RWTH Aachen University, Germany)
• DC9: Machine learning-guided enzyme engineering for lactone production (Graz University of Technology, Austria) --> will be announced soon
• DC10 : Bioprocess modeling and scale-up of lactone biosynthesis (University of Zagreb, Croatia)
• DC11 : Chemoenzymatic lignin activation to polyester composites (Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany)
• DC12 : Ring-opening polymerization of bio-based lactones (University of Aveiro, Portugal)
• DC13 : Formulation of biobased polyester coating resin (HELIOS, Slovenia)
• DC14 : 3D-printing of biobased polymers for tissue cultures (Graz University of Technology, Austria)

As part of the training, the doctoral candidate will attend regular events across Europe and undertake short stays (secondments) to at least two Beneficiary/Partner organisations.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Chemistry » Biochemistry Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Engineering » Process engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Engineering » Chemical engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Skills/Qualifications

• Having a master's degree or its equivalent
• Profound knowledge in the respective fields of the DC position
• High level of proficiency in written and spoken English
• Strong commitment to hands-on research, driven by scientific curiosity, dependability, and the ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary team

Specific Requirements

For specific requirements, follow the link to the individual description of DC1-DC15 position above.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

• 3-year full-time employment contract (salary depends on the country of recruitment, considering both the local and MSCA regulations for DCs)
• Secondments at other labs or industry partners within the B3PO consortium
• Comprehensive and interdisciplinary training in a cutting-edge research field, delivered through collaboration between academic institutions and industry partners
• Structured training program consisting of soft skill courses, targeted workshops, retreats, social events, and networking
• Opportunities for participation in national and international meetings/conferences

Eligibility criteria

• Be--at the date of the recruitment-- a doctoral candidate (i.e. not in possession of a doctoral degree)
• Not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date
• Willingness to move countries for DC placement and temporary secondments

Selection process

Our selection procedure is open, transparent, merit-based, impartial, fully aligned with the MSCA Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The B3PO consortium is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and we warmly welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities.

Additional comments

Application process: Interested candidates should send a motivation letter, a CV including publications (if any), copies of university degrees and courses (including obtained grades), and the names and e-mail addresses of two scientists who can serve as references to the link to the individual description of DC1-DC15 position above or to [e-mail]

Kindly indicate the DC position you are applying for. Applications that do not meet the profile and/or the above criteria cannot be considered.

Application deadline for DC08 and DC15: 31.12.2025

We reserve the right to invite applicants to interviews before the application deadline.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 3 Company/Institute Graz University of Technology Country Austria City Graz Postal Code 8010 Street Petersgasse 14 Geofield

Number of offers available 3 Company/Institute Complutense University in Madrid Country Spain Geofield

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Country Austria Geofield