Bioinformatician in Machine Learning-Driven Enzyme Discovery and Design for Polymer Degradation

Instituto de Catálisis y Petroleoquímica; Navarra; Presencial; EUR 32.000 - 33.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

An esteemed research institute seeks a dedicated graduate student for a 3-year PhD position focused on biotechnology, bioinformatics, and machine learning. The role involves using computational tools and AI methodologies to design enzymes for degrading complex materials. Candidates should possess a Master’s in Biotechnology or a related field and demonstrate proficiency in programming and research methodologies. This notable position offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative bioengineering projects.

Formación

• Degree in Biotechnology or related field, average score of 8.0/10 required.
• Experience in biotechnological research is valued.
• Proficiency in English is expected.

Responsabilidades

• Implement Bioinformatics and Machine Learning tools for enzyme design.
• Generate structural models of proteins using computational tools.
• Map protein-ligand interaction energy landscapes.

Conocimientos

Computational analysis

Machine Learning

Python

Perl

R

Bioinformatics

Educación

Master Degree in Biotechnology

Herramientas

AlphaFold2

RoseTTA

ESMFold

ProtGPT2

pyMol

Descripción del empleo

Organisation / Company Instituto de Catálisis y Petroleoquímica Department Biocatalysis Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 30 Jun 2025 - 12 : 00 (Europe / Madrid) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Systems Biotechnology group ( ), located in the Instituto de Catálisis Petroleoquímica - Spanish National Research Council (ICP-CSIC), is seeking for a hard-working and enthusiastic graduate student with a Master's degree to pursue a PhD in the field of Biotechnology, Bioinformatics and Machine Learning approaches as part of a 3-years contract (Category M3; gross salary is 2,318.93 euros in 14 payments) bond to the project BIORE2AIRCRAFT, funded by the Regional Goverment of Madrid under the framework of "César Nombela" Talent Atraction Grant (ref. 2024-T1ECO-31227).

The objective is to implement Bioinformatics and Machine Learning tools to identify and de novo design enzymes capable of degrading organic polymers and composite materials. These enzymes will later be integrated into microbes using synthetic biology techniques. To achieve the project's objectives, the following specific tasks are proposed : 1. Generate structural models of target proteins / enzymes using AlphaFold or related tools; 2. Apply machine learning methods to predict the properties of these proteins / enzymes, including their expression and activity levels. 3. Utilize state-of-the-art molecular modeling to map the protein–ligand interaction energy landscape for biocatalyst screening and engineering.

Candidates must have a degree in biotechnology or a related field. A minimum grade average score of 8.0 / 10 is required.

Proficiency in English is expected

Previous experience in biotechnological, biocatalysts, bioinformatics and computational research will be valued

Application :

The contract will be processed through the CSIC job placement pool, so registration in it is required. Interested candidates should submit their CV and all certifying documents through the CSIC job placement application ( ). Once registered and the documentation has been submitted, the CSIC will publish the score based on the candidate's merits, and the candidate will be eligible for the contract. Also, they can send the CV to Rafael Bargiela ( ).

Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills / Qualifications

• Degree in Biotechnology or similar field.

Master degree in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Specific Requirements

• Experience using computational tools for protein structure analysis (i.e. AlphaFold2, RoseTTA, ESMFold).
• Experience using computational tools for protein modelling and design (i.e. ProtGPT2, pyMol).
• Experience using AI and Machine / Deep learning tools.
• Programming skills in Python and / or Perl.
• Programming skill in R.
• Proficiency in English is expected

Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Years of Research Experience 1 - 4 Additional Information Work Location(s)

J-18808-Ljbffr