Neurophotonics and Mechanical Systems Biology Group: Post-doctoral position in Computational protein design for ultrasensitive optogenetic actuators

ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences; España; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences in Spain invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the Neurophotonics and Mechanical Systems Biology group led by Prof. Dr. Michael Krieg.

The project aims to create ultrasensitive optogenetic actuators by engineering channelrhodopsins and integrating AI-assisted design with structure-guided mutagenesis. The successful candidate will lead computational protein engineering and validate variants experimentally, in mammalian cells or via

Qualifications

• Ph.D.-equivalent in protein engineering, computational structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics, bioengineering or molecular biology.
• Experience in structure-guided or computational protein design (sequence/structure analysis, prediction, docking, simulations or AI-guided design).
• Ability to test engineered proteins through mammalian cell expression/assays or recombinant expression, purification and biochemical characterization.
• Experience in cloning and targeted mutagenesis; basic scripting/data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify structural determinants of pigment binding and energy transfer; design modified channelrhodopsin scaffolds using structure-guided and AI-assisted mutagenesis.
• Model protein–pigment interactions using structure prediction, docking and molecular simulations; select candidates for iterative design-build-test (~100 variants).
• Generate or coordinate mutant constructs and perform proof-of-concept tests in mammalian cells or via recombinant expression, purification and binding assays.
• Evaluate candidate expression, stability, pigment association and functional responses against parental-channel and pigment controls.
• Collaborate with partner teams for electrophysiological and photophysical characterization; share designs and results in reports and meetings.

Skills

Structure-guided design

Computational protein design

Molecular docking

AI-assisted design

Mammalian cell expression

Protein purification

Education

PhD in related field

Tools

Molecular docking software

Job description

ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences

Organisation/Company ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences Research Field Engineering Chemistry » Biochemistry Biological sciences » Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 13 Dec 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 13 Nov 2026 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

ICFO is offering a postdoctoral position to a well-qualified, highly motivated and dynamic young scientist who wishes to enhance his/her scientific career in a friendly and stimulating environment.

The successful candidate will be joining the Neurophotonics and Mechanical Systems Biology group led by Prof. Dr. Michael Krieg.

The advertised project aims to create ultrasensitive optogenetic actuators by introducing secondary pigment-binding sites into red-shifted channelrhodopsins (including ChRmine/ChReef). Inspired by naturally-occurring binding sites in related proteins, we will combine rational and AI-assisted protein design to improve pigment binding and light capture while preserving ion-channel function and kinetics. We seek a dedicated postdoctoral researcher who will lead computational protein engineering and experimentally validate the first candidate variants, either in cultured mammalian cells or following recombinant expression, purification and biochemical reconstitution. The candidate will join the Neurophotonics and Mechanical Systems Biology group at ICFO in collaboration with Ferruz group at the CRG, and is embedded in a larger team of internal collaborators with expertise in spectroscopy, electrophysiology and in vivo optogenetics.

The successful candidate will perform the following tasks:

• Identify structural determinants of auxiliary pigment binding and energy transfer; design modified channelrhodopsin scaffolds using structure-guided and AI-assisted mutagenesis.
  
• Model protein-pigment interactions using structure prediction, molecular docking and molecular mechanics/dynamics; prioritize candidates for an iterative design-build-test workflow (approximately 100 variants envisaged in the project, depending on scoring and downstream testing).
  
• Generate or coordinate mutant constructs and perform initial proof-of-concept tests through at least one route: (i) heterologous expression and characterization in mammalian cells, or (ii) protein expression, purification and pigment-binding/reconstitution assays.
  
• Evaluate candidate expression, stability, pigment association and preliminary optical or functional responses against appropriate parental-channel and pigment controls.
  
• Work with the partner teams on subsequent electrophysiological and photophysical characterization, share validated designs and communicate results in reports, publications and meetings.

Candidates must hold, at the time of contract initiation, an internationally-recognised Ph.D.-equivalent degree (or evidence of its completion in the nearest future) n protein engineering, computational structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics, bioengineering, molecular biology or a related discipline.

The candidate should have a proven track record of experience in the following areas:

• Demonstrated experience in structure-guided or computational protein design, including one or more of the following: sequence and structural analysis, protein structure prediction, molecular docking, molecular simulations, or AI-guided protein design
  
• Practical capacity to test engineered proteins through at least one experimental route: mammalian cell expression/assays OR recombinant protein expression, purification and biochemical characterization.
  

Experience in cloning and targeted mutagenesis. Basic scripting/data analysis skills are also important.

Desirable experience (not mandatory):

• Membrane protein or rhodopsin engineering;
  
• Experience with spectroscopy, protein reconstitution, or patch-clamp electrophysiology.
  

Candidates are not expected to be experts in both experimental routes or in downstream animal models.

Strong communication, independence and collaborative working skills are expected.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Engineering » OtherChemistry » Biochemistry

Additional Information

ICFO is an equal opportunity employer. We hire based solely on merit and potential, regardless of gender, nationality, or disability. ICFO fully endorses the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, ensuring a transparent and supportive recruitment process.

Conditions

The contract is offered initially for a period up to 3 years.

Salaries for ICFO Postdoctoral positions are assigned by the Selection Committee, based on experience and seniority of the applicant, as well as the assigned tasks and responsibilities within the group. Standard salaries range from a lower level aligned with national Ramon-y-Cajal fellowships to higher levels aligned with Marie Skłodowska-Curie individual fellowships.

Additionally, a family allowance is also available on request and after corresponding approval for people with family charges in the terms described in the corresponding policy.

Selection process

The selection process is conducted in accordance with ICFO's Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) Policy, ensuring equal opportunities, transparency, and fair treatment for all applicants. Candidates are assessed exclusively on the basis of their qualifications, experience, skills, achievements, and potential in relation to the requirements of the position. Further information on the recruitment principles and procedures, conflict of interest and the appeals mechanism available to candidates, can be found in the OTM-R Policy.

The selection process will consist of:

1. Eligibility check of applications.
2. Assessment of merits (education, experience, and language)
3. Interview with shortlisted candidates, if needed