项目介绍

2026年10月3日

项目介绍

(ref. BAP-2026-618) Last modified: 02/10/26

Enzymatic DNA synthesis could deliver longer, purer and greener oligonucleotides than phosphoramidite chemistry. It requires an enzyme that is template-independent, adds exactly one nucleotide per cycle, accepts 3′-reversible terminators and withstands process conditions. This translational, KU Leuven-funded project continues the development of a recently discovered engineered hyperthermophilic polymerase with template-independent activity. You will improve it through directed evolution and structure-guided design. Your targets are terminator acceptance, coupling efficiency and control over stepwise addition, and you will benchmark variants in complete synthesis cycles.

The Pinheiro group has a well-established pipeline for engineering DNA polymerases with expanded substrate specificity. It covers automated multi-site library construction, selection platforms such as bacterial cell display, NGS-based analysis of selection outputs, and structural and computational analysis of evolved variants. You will design selection conditions, interpret sequencing data quantitatively, and characterise hits biochemically, including kinetic analysis of nucleotide incorporation. You will also help build an industrial network to license or co-develop the enzyme and ancillary technologies.

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Responsibilities Independent, high-level research on controlled in vitro DNA synthesis. Publishing and presenting your results. Contributing to grant proposals. Profile PhD in molecular biology or biochemistry (or obtained shortly before the start date) Demonstrated, published hands-on experience in nucleic acid enzymology beyond PCR, plus at least one of: directed evolution and selection platforms, library construction and NGS analysis, or enzyme kinetics Excellent analytical skills and research integrity Fluent English; able to work independently and in an international team A proactive approach to career development (KU Leuven Individual Development Plan framework) Offer We offer a 24 months contract in a world-class research environment, a KU Leuven salary scale with holiday and end-of-year bonuses, comprehensive social benefits, and career support through YouReCa.

Interested? For more information please contact Prof. dr. Vitor Bernardes Pinheiro, mail: vitor.pinheiro@kuleuven.be. You can apply for this job no later than November 13, 2026 via the online application tool

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

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av_timer Appointment percentage: Full-time

location_city Location: Leuven

timer Apply until: 13/11/2026 23:59 CET

bookmarks Tags: Bioscience Engineering, Biology

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关于 KU Leuven（鲁汶大学）

KU Leuven（荷语区鲁汶大学，Leuven）是比利时最古老的大学之一，1395 年由鲁汶伯爵创立，现为比利时佛兰德斯地区规模最大的大学，在法学、医学、工程与计算机科学等学科具备国际声誉。学校位于比利时鲁汶（Leuven）及其周边校区（Kortrijk / Brugge / Geel / Aalst），科研经费与欧盟项目资源充足，国际学生与研究人员规模庞大。

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