Predoctoral Researcher - Computational Enzyme Design for Glycoengineering

Institut Quimic Sarria (IQS) – Universitat Ramon Llull; España; Presencial; EUR 13.392 - 17.856; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

State-of-the-art infrastructure

International opportunities

Mentoring & development

Descripción de la vacante

Institut Quimic Sarria (IQS) – Universitat Ramon Llull in Barcelona invites applications for a PhD position in computational glycobiology and enzyme design starting as soon as possible. The project focuses on modeling carbohydrate-active enzymes for biomedicine and biotechnology using structure-based modeling, molecular dynamics, and computational design.

Join the Biological Chemistry and Biotechnology Group within IQS Department of Bioengineering, collaborating with international partners.

Formación

• MSc in biochemistry, chemistry, biophysics, computational biology, or a related field.
• Strong academic record and motivation for interdisciplinary research.
• Experience in molecular modeling, enzymology, or protein design desirable.
• Good written and spoken English.

Responsabilidades

• Modeling enzyme–substrate interactions and catalytic mechanisms.
• Designing improved or novel biocatalysts.
• Collaborating with experimental groups for validation.

Conocimientos

Molecular modeling

Protein design

English communication

Enzymology

Educación

MSc in biochemistry/chemistry/biophysics/computational biology

Descripción del empleo

Institut Quimic Sarria (IQS) – Universitat Ramon Llull

Organisation/Company Institut Quimic Sarria (IQS) – Universitat Ramon Llull Department Bioengineering Research Field Chemistry » Biochemistry Physics » Biophysics Computer science » Other Biological sciences » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 15 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38,5 Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 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

The Biological Chemistry and Biotechnology Group at IQS, Universitat Ramon Llull (Barcelona, Spain) invites applications for a PhD position in computational glycobiology, enzyme design, starting as soon is possible.

Our research aims to uncover and reprogram the molecular principles that govern protein–carbohydrate interactions and enzyme catalysis. We integrate structural bioinformatics, molecular modeling, and artificial intelligence to study biomolecular recognition and to design enzymes with biomedical and biotechnological applications.

The group is embedded in the IQS Department of Bioengineering, a multidisciplinary environment at the interface of biomedicine, chemistry, nanotechnology and biotechnology, and maintains active collaborations with leading international partners.

Project: Computational Enzyme Design for Glycoengineering

This project focuses on modeling and engineering carbohydrate-active enzymes for applications in biomedicine and biotechnology. It will combine structure-based modeling, molecular dynamics, and computational design to understand and reprogram enzyme function.

Research tasks:

• Modeling enzyme–substrate interactions and catalytic mechanisms
• Designing improved or novel biocatalysts
• Collaborating with experimental groups for validation

Funding: This position is contingent upon obtaining a competitive PhD fellowship (e.g., FI (AGAUR), FPU (Spanish Ministry of Science), or internal IQS doctoral scholarships).

The group will actively support outstanding candidates during the fellowship application process.

MSc in biochemistry, chemistry, biophysics, computational biology, or a related field.

Strong academic record and motivation for interdisciplinary research.

Specific Requirements

Experience in molecular modeling, enzymology, or protein design desirable.

Good written and spoken English.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Chemistry » BiochemistryChemistry » Other Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Research Field Physics » Biophysics Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

• Full-time predoctoral fellowship (for competitive position).
• Access to state-of-the-art computational infrastructure and collaborative projects.
• International research opportunities, including short stays at partner institutions.
• Mentoring, professional development, and integration into a dynamic interdisciplinary environment in Barcelona.

Eligibility criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on academic excellence, research potential, and motivation.

Additional comments

We are an equal opportunity employer. We promote equality and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law. We strongly welcome applications from female candidates as they are currently under-represented at this level in this field of knowledge in our School.

We also promote scientific and technological knowledge, business transformation and societal progress. At IQS we look for professionals committed to both these values.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Institut Quimic Sarria (IQS) – Universitat Ramon Llull Country Spain State/Province Barcelona City Barcelona Postal Code 08017 Street Via Augusta, 390 Geofield