PhD Protein Engineering

Enzyme Discovery and Protein Engineering to Develop Novel Enzyme Delivery Platforms for Precision Targeting of Aberrant Glycans in Tumor Cells.

The Biochemistry Laboratory at IQS–Ramon Llull University (Barcelona) is offering a research assistant position at the interface of enzyme discovery, protein engineering, glycobiology, and cancer biotechnology. This project aims to translate fundamental advances in enzyme design into innovative biomedical applications for the selective targeting of cancer‑associated glycans.

Protein glycosylation is one of the most prevalent post‑translational modifications in eukaryotic cells and plays essential roles in protein stability, signaling, and cell‑cell communication. In cancer, glycosylation pathways are frequently dysregulated, leading to the appearance of aberrant glycan structures on cell‑surface and secreted proteins. These tumor‑associated glycans are recognized as key hallmarks of malignant transformation and contribute to tumor progression, metastasis, immune evasion, and therapy resistance. Importantly, strategies aimed at preventing or remodeling these abnormal glycan patterns have shown significant potential for cancer treatment.

This PhD project seeks to discover and engineer novel carbohydrate‑active enzymes, particularly glycosidases, to identify unique substrate specificities and to uncover new catalytic functions towards complex glycans, capable of selectively modifying cancer‑associated glycans. The resulting enzymes will open new opportunities at the interface of biotechnology and biomedicine through interdisciplinary research perspectives: i) Development of targeted enzyme delivery platforms to selectively remodel aberrant glycosylation in tumor cells and explore its role in cancer progression and ii) Protein engineering and enzyme optimization to enhance activity, specificity, and stability, generating next‑generation biocatalysts for glycobiology, biotechnology, and therapeutic applications

The project offers multidisciplinary training that bridges fundamental enzyme science with translational cancer biotechnology with novel therapeutic approaches.

POSITION

We are seeking a motivated candidate to join a multidisciplinary research team focused on the discovery and engineering of carbohydrate‑active enzymes for biomedical applications. The selected candidate will be supported in applying for competitive pre‑doctoral fellowships and, upon securing funding, will enroll in the PhD Program in Bioengineering at IQS.

The candidate will contribute to the design, execution, and analysis of research activities combining computational and experimental protein engineering. Their main responsibilities will include identifying and prioritizing enzyme candidates, designing and evaluating protein variants, and experimentally characterizing their activity, specificity, and potential biomedical relevance.

Depending on the candidate’s background and the development of the project, the work involves molecular modelling, molecular cloning, recombinant protein production, biochemical and biophysical characterization, glycochemistry, and the evaluation of selected enzymes in cell‑based cancer models.

The successful candidate will be expected to work collaboratively with researchers from complementary disciplines, maintain accurate experimental and computational records, contribute to scientific publications and conference presentations, and actively participate in the research and training activities of the Department of Bioengineering and the PhD Program.

The position will be based at IQS School of Engineering (Barcelona), within a multidisciplinary research environment spanning chemistry, biotechnology, biomedicine, and translational science.

CONDITIONS

• The candidate will apply to different pre‑doctoral fellowships, including FI‑Joan Oró, Ramon Areces, … and IQS trainee contracts.
• The contract is for 3 years associated to the doctoral program in Bioengineering, that also presents coaching, power skills and training activities.
• Estimated start date: October 2026.
• 3 years contract.

Reference: PID2025-171531OB-I00

Period:01/ 09/2026 a 31/08/2029

REQUIREMENTS

• Graduated in Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, or related fields, at the master's level.
• Experience in molecular biology techniques
• Experience in protein engineering or/and metabolic engineering fields.
• Experience in molecular biology techniques
• Experience in protein engineering or/and metabolic engineering fields.
• Knowledge in bioinformatics and computational biology modelling.
• Strong motivation, proactivity, and creativity.
• Proficiency in teamwork as well as in independently developing projects.

Interviews will be performed in the first week of September with Dr. Xevi Biarnés (Ver el correo electrónico en click.appcast.io) and Dr. Magda Faijes (Ver el correo electrónico en click.appcast.io)

Application Deadline: 9 September 2026

OTHER INFORMATION

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.