Přehled

Workplace: Microbial Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic

Thesis Topic: Unlocking the unused capacity of bacterial metabolism through the rational design of substrate transporters.

Supervisor: Associate Professor Pavel Dvořák

Type of Cooperation: PhD fellowship (more information on PhD study programmes at the Faculty of Science here)

Expected Start Date: 1.1.2026 (is negotiable)

Application Deadline: 30.9.2025

About the Workplace

We are looking for highly motivated graduates to join the Microbial Bioengineering Laboratory (MBL, Section of Microbiology of the Department of Experimental Biology) led by Pavel Dvořák. MBL is an internationally recognized laboratory at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University that provides training in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology of microorganisms.

We engineer bacteria and their metabolic and regulatory pathways for understanding and biotechnology and educate new generations of microbiologists/bioengineers at Masaryk University. Our long-term ambition is to combine microbiology with molecular biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics, and work on interdisciplinary projects that contribute to the fundamental knowledge of the microbial systems studied but also have significant application potential. For detailed insight into the microbial metabolism and physiology and for more efficient valorization of substrates from waste materials, we modify microorganisms and their biochemical pathways using state-of-the-art methods of synthetic biology, metabolic and protein engineering. For more information see our web: https://mik.sci.muni.cz/mbl

Masaryk University is modern, dynamic and the most attractive university in the Czech Republic with ten faculties, more than 6500 staff and 33 000 students, a wide range of research areas and a strong international position. We are the largest academic employer in the South Moravian Region.

Faculty of Science MU, a holder of the HR Excellence in Research Award by the European Commission, is a research-oriented faculty, offering university education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programs) closely linked to both primary and applied research and high school teaching of the following sciences: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Earth sciences. We are the most productive scientific unit of the Masaryk University generating around 40 % of MU research results.

Description of the project

Bacteria are essential biocatalysts, but their efficiency in biochemical production is limited by low carbon flux and productivity. Evidence suggests that bacterial metabolism has untapped capacity, with many catabolic enzymes operating below their maximum rates. This project aims to unlock this dormant potential using a novel “carbon PUSH” strategy, wherein engineered high-performance transporters saturate catabolic enzymes with sugar substrates. The study will investigate the reproducibility of this strategy across several substrates and bacterial species with different metabolic setups while advancing the design and validation of efficient substrate transporters. Key objectives include molecular dynamics simulations of sugar transport via a bacterial high-capacity sugar facilitator and AI-driven computational design and testing of transporter variants with altered specificity and stability in selected bacterial hosts (our laboratory and the selected PhD candidate will be responsible for in vivo robotic screening and testing of engineered transporters in modified bacterial hosts, prepared by the candidate, and subsequent characterization of the obtained strains using systems biology approaches). By combining different substrates and bacteria, this research seeks to elucidate metabolic bottlenecks and develop enhanced bacterial transporters, paving the way for more efficient biotechnologies. *

Offered Conditions

• An attractive, funded 4-year interdisciplinary project with strong application potential
• Access to advanced methods in bacterial synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and systems biology
• A friendly collaborative team used to host native as well as foreign students on Masaryk University´s vibrant campus with cutting-edge research infrastructure
• Supportive, responsible mentorship from an experienced, internationally recognized supervisor
• Research stays at collaborating laboratories in top institutions in Denmark, Germany, UK, USA, Poland, or Spain
• Competitive salary in the Czech research environment (for details contact Pavel Dvořák)

In addition to the standard PhD scholarship at Masaryk University (CZK 15 000 net per month), additional funds are provided through laboratory resources (assignment in research project). An overall monthly income is typically around CZK 30 000 net per month for full-time position. Additional support includes performance-based bonuses as well as support for international mobility or attendance of conferences etc. PhD candidates in MBL are also frequently selected for additional Brno PhD Talent fellowship. We provide full support during Brno PhD Talent project proposal preparation.

We also offer:

• Employee benefits such as 6 weeks of paid vacation per year, a financial meal allowance, discounted language courses, a university cinema discount, and a childcare group on the university campus
• Opportunity to work and live in a modern, safe, and dynamic city, one of the most popular student cities in Europe:
• https://www.study-in-brno.cz/why-study-in-brno
• https://www.em.muni.cz/en/student/11992-10-reasons-why-brno-is-the-best-city-for-students
• International Staff Office provides support with the relocation of foreigners to Brno

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Education and practical skills in molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, microbial synthetic biology, biotechnology, or related fields
• Skills in systems biology (omics techniques) or genetic engineering (genome editing techniques) are advantageous
• English at B2 or higher level
• Critical thinking, independence, flexibility, friendly nature, and willingness to learn

How to Apply

Please, send your structured CV (max. three A4 pages), motivation letter (max. one A4 page), and contact for at least two reference persons (ideally former and current supervisors) to pdvorak@sci.muni.cz.

Selection Process

Received applications will be continuously reviewed and carefully considered. Shortlisted applicants meeting the requirements will be invited to an interview.

Please note that your application does not substitute an official admission process to Ph.D. studies at SCI MUNI. Details including discussion about the research topic, required documentation or formalities will be a subject of the interview with successful candidates. Only upon the informal pre-agreement with potential future supervisor, a formal application for PhD studies at Faculty of Science, Masaryk University can be submitted.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!