The production of proteins with unnatural amino acids in Pichia pastoris
Unnatural amino acids contain side chains with extraordinary chemical and/or structural properties that are unavailable from the standard amino acids. This makes them particularly attractive as building blocks for synthetic proteins and bioactive compounds. We genetically encode unnatural amino acids in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris . This yeast combines easy genetic manipulation and inexpensive growth media with the ability to express and secrete into the medium recombinant proteins with complex post-translational modifications. The project’s ambitious goal is to advance this exciting host organism to the next level of recombinant protein production for industrial application.

That could be your future

Join our team at a reputable, nationally and internationally well-connected research centre at the forefront of biotechnological innovation. You will be embedded within the academic environment of BOKU University in Vienna. You are working in the inspiring environment of an independent research group eager to exploit emerging new technologies for innovative biotechnological applications.

With us, you can expect an enjoyable work climate, flexible work hours and numerous possibilities for further education and personal development. A package of voluntary social benefits (e.g. meal vouchers or tickets for public transport) is also part of our modern corporate culture. And not to forget: You make your research visible and broaden your network!

That’s important to us

Ideally, you have completed a Ph.D./doctoral degree from a recognized University in Biotechnology/Biochemistry or related fields . We are particularly interested in candidates with the following background and skills:

• Hands-on experience of standard microbiological and molecular biology techniques as well as protein biotechnology in yeast.
• You have worked with Pichia pastoris in the lab before? – This would be a big plus!
• You have experience with the expansion of the genetic code and the production of proteins with non-canonical amino acids ? – Excellent, come and work with us!
• You are enthusiastic to learn new techniques and to present your results in oral and written form.
• You are curious to work in an interdisciplinary team of academic and industrial partners .

That’s what you should know

• The annual gross salary is EUR 69.060 .
• This corresponds to a monthly net amount of EUR 3.170,47 (paid 14 times a year).
• Start: 1 ^st of October 2025

Find out more about why acib is the right choice for you: https://acib.at/jobs/

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And now it’s your turn! Give us an idea of who you are!

Apply via our application portal: short.acib.at/05-2025 | Application deadline: 31 st of August 2025

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, taking into account the requirements of the role. It is particularly important to us that our job offers appeal to all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, origin, age, nationality, or religion.