PhD in ML-Guided Directed Evolution — Fully Funded (4 Years)

Gidacarsisiemlak; Groningen; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded

4-year program

Job summary

The University of Groningen and Eindhoven University of Technology invite applications for three fully funded PhD positions under the ML-GUIDE project. You will pursue ML-guided directed evolution to accelerate discovery of biomolecules for therapeutic and catalytic applications.

Three researchers will embed in the respective labs to design peptide catalysts, cyclic-peptide drugs, or predictive biocatalysis, collaborating across institutions while starting between 01-11-2026 and 01-03-2026.

Qualifications

• MSc degree (or equivalent) in a related field.
• Experience in directed evolution, molecular machine learning, NGS, or synthetic chemistry is highly preferred.
• Interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of synthetic biology, ML, and chemistry.

Responsibilities

• Develop a first-in-class ML-guided framework to accelerate design of high-affinity binders.
• Collaborate with groups at UG and TU/e to guide engineering efforts for a biomolecule and its function.
• Contribute to Design-Build-Test-Learn cycles and active learning to improve models.

Skills

MSc background

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

MSc or equivalent in (Bio)chemistry, Biotechnology, Computational Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry/Biology

Job description

The University of Groningen and Eindhoven University of Technology invite applications for three fully funded PhD positions under the ML-GUIDE project. You will pursue ML-guided directed evolution to accelerate discovery of biomolecules for therapeutic and catalytic applications.

Three researchers will embed in the respective labs to design peptide catalysts, cyclic-peptide drugs, or predictive biocatalysis, collaborating across institutions while starting between 01-11-2026 and 01-03-2026.