Postdoctoral Research Position in Biochemistry & Biotechnology at University of Liège, Belgium

The Centre for Protein Engineering (www.cip.uliege.be) is a highly interdisciplinary Centre providing complementary approaches for the analysis of structure and function relationships of proteins. Ten closely interacting research teams constitute the framework of the Centre, offering cutting-edge expertise from isolated proteins to integrated cellular networks, with special reference to antibiotic resistance. The NEPTUNS lab has an expertise in the generation and selection of Nanoantibodies (also referred to as VHHs or Nanobodies®) against a wide range of antigens; it has in particular developed original protocols to select VHHs inhibiting enzymes (e.g., DOI: 10.1002/pro.5227). The CIP has developed 3 technological platforms: Protein Factory to express and purify recombinant proteins (www.proteinfactory.uliege.be), Robotein for the high throughput production and characterization of proteins (www.robotein.uliege.be) and AlpaNano for the generation and selection of Nanoantibodies  (www.alpanano.uliege.be). The equipment and expertise of the three platforms will be used for the realisation of the project.  

In the face of rising antibiotic resistance, targeting bacterial virulence factors offers a promising alternative to traditional antimicrobial therapies. Unlike conventional antibiotics that kill or inhibit bacterial growth—thus exerting strong selective pressure for resistance—anti-virulence strategies aim to disarm pathogens by neutralizing their ability to cause disease. Because these approaches do not directly affect bacterial viability, they impose less evolutionary pressure, potentially limiting the emergence of resistance and preserving the effectiveness of existing antibiotics. Targeting virulence factors thus represents a novel and sustainable path in the fight against drug-resistant bacterial infections. This project focuses on the development of nanomedicine candidates designed to neutralize key virulence factors from two WHO-designated high-priority pathogens. By disrupting bacterial pathogenesis rather than viability, these candidates offer a novel and sustainable approach to treating drug-resistant infections. This project is highly interdisciplinary integrating expertise in molecular biology, protein engineering, and computational antibody design to develop novel biologics with therapeutic potential. It will be carried out in close collaboration with clinicians who provide access to relevant biological samples, ensuring a strong translational dimension.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and construct libraries of VHH genes for phage display or yeast display.
• Carry out phage and yeast display to select VHHs specific of the targets
• Produce and purify VHHs in bacteria
• Utilize in silico antibody design tools to improve stability, specificity, and efficacy.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including microbiologists and clinicians.
• Present findings at internal meetings and contribute to publications.

• A PhD in biochemistry, protein engineering, molecular biology, immunology, or related field.
• Proven experience with display technologies (phage display and/or yeast display).
• Hands-on experience in recombinant protein expression and purification.
• Competence in computational antibody design and molecular modelling.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• A track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals is an asset.
• You must have obtained your PhD after 1 September 2021, or be expected to complete your doctoral degree by 1 December 2025
• You must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, study, etc.) in Belgium for more than 24 months during the past 3 years.