Job description
Today, a single pharmaceutical drug often crosses three continents during its lengthy production process, before reaching the patient. What if we could shorten this process, simplifying the supply chain, increasing efficiency and reducing waste? This can be achieved by shortening synthetic routes and removing downstream processing steps. To do so, we will apply a new biocatalytic synthetic approach to obtain non-natural amino acids with two stereocenters in a single step. These complex molecules are key intermediates for most modern active pharmaceutical intermediates. In the CassaFLOW (tudelft.nl) project, funded by an EIC Transition grant, you will collaborate with partners from academia and industry to bring these concise and innovative synthetic routes to life. At the end of the project, the developed products and synthetic cascades will be achieved at TRL6 level, with immediate industrial implementation and impact in the pharmaceutical industry.

You will work on the development and scaling of a 3-step synthetic route to obtain the target non-natural amino acid. The enantioselective enzymatic conversions will be implemented in flow. Together with partners, you will scale up the enzyme production and immobilize the enzymes using the best enzymatic carrier selected. After implementing the individual chemical steps, you will investigate the flow-chemistry based cascades using the developed immobilization strategies and compare batch and flow processes using innovative rotating bed reactors. Once the optimal conditions are defined, you will assist the industrial partners with scaling up for industrial implementation.

As a postdoc at TU Delft, you will work within the department of biotechnology, in the biocatalysis section, under the guidance of Prof. Ulf Hanefeld. You will collaborate closely with leading scientists in the field of biocatalysis who are passionate about green chemistry and sustainability, not only within the Netherlands, but also abroad. You will foster collaboration with innovative SMEs working closely to bring the latest scientific novelties to the market, and have the opportunity to develop your skills to become a leader in the field.

Job requirements
You are a PhD graduate with experience in biocatalysis, flow chemistry and/or related fields, looking to use your experimental and entrepreneurial skills to tackle real-world challenges in the pharmaceutical industry. With your pioneering mindset and strong communicative skills, you thrive in complex multi-disciplinary international teams and you’re not phased or overwhelmed by the ambitious nature of the project. You are able to work confidently with international collaborators in academia and in industry.

You Also Have:

• A PhDdegree in Life Sciences, (Bio)Chemistry, Biocatalysis, or a related field.
• Experience in (bio)organic chemistry and/or flow chemistry
• Sound knowledge of organic chemistry, biochemistry and biocatalysis

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 2 years.
• A job of 40 hours per week.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Prof. Ulf Hanefed, via U.Hanefeld@tudelft.nl .

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 Jan 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Prof. Ulf Hanefed.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• A knowledge security check will be part of the selection procedure (for details page 45: national knowledge security guidelines).
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.