PhD Position – Engineering Membrane Proteins and Nanopores for Bioelectronic Applications VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology in Belgium

This fully funded PhD position at the VIB–VUB Center for Structural Biology in Brussels, Belgium, offers an exciting opportunity to work at the interface of protein engineering, structural biology, chemistry, and biophysics. The project focuses on designing and characterizing membrane proteins, nanopores, and ion channels for in vitro bioelectronic applications. The successful candidate will employ state-of-the-art computational design tools to engineer novel membrane proteins and validate these designs experimentally, aiming to integrate them into functional devices at the biology–electronics interface.

The research environment is highly interdisciplinary, with the laboratory of Dr. Anastassia Vorobieva pioneering methods for the de novo design of transmembrane β-barrel nanopores. The group is co-affiliated with the VIB Center for AI & Computational Biology and provides access to advanced infrastructure, including cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and high-performance computing. The Vorobieva lab is an active member of the international RosettaCommons community, offering opportunities for collaboration, training, workshops, and networking with leading researchers in computational protein design.

Applicants should have a solid experimental foundation in protein biochemistry, structural biology, or biophysics, and a curiosity for computational approaches. Essential qualifications include a Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Protein Engineering, Structural Biology, Biophysics, Biotechnology, or a related field, hands-on experience with protein expression, purification, and characterization, familiarity with biophysical techniques (such as electrophysiology, fluorescence assays, SEC, CD spectroscopy), strong analytical and problem-solving skills, motivation to learn computational protein design methods, excellent written and spoken communication skills in English, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an international group. Desirable qualifications include experience in membrane protein biochemistry, electrophysiology or nanopore recording, structural characterization (cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, NMR), ion channel or pore-forming protein biology, in vitro reconstitution and lipid bilayer systems, biosensor development or biology–electronics integration, basic programming skills (Python or similar), and familiarity with protein structure visualization tools (PyMOL, ChimeraX) or protein design software (Rosetta).

The offer includes a fully funded PhD position with an attractive salary, access to state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, and a dynamic, highly stimulating, and interdisciplinary research environment in a top research institute. The lab culture is international and supportive.

To apply, submit a cover letter describing your motivation and relevant research experience, a curriculum vitae, and contact information for two referees via the online VIB career portal. For more information about the research group and environment, visit the laboratory website or contact Dr. Anastassia Vorobieva at anastassia.vorobieva@vub.vib.be.

Application deadline: 23 October 2026.