The Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, through the Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory, in partnership with the University of São Paulo, is offering a postdoctoral fellowship opportunity for a research project in the field of biochemistry. The positions are offered within the framework of the CNPEM-USP partnership.
The project, entitled “Biochemical and Molecular Characterization of Novel CAZymes from Microorganisms of Brazilian Biodiversity”, will be carried out collaboratively between the São Carlos Institute of Physics (IFSC) and LNBR/CNPEM. Applications are open until June 20, 2026.
Main Activities
The selected postdoctoral fellow will be expected to perform the following activities:
- Target selection through bioinformatics analyses;
- Heterologous expression and purification of recombinant proteins;
- Identification of substrates and characterization of enzymatic specificity;
- Biochemical and biophysical characterization of protein targets;
- Structural determination by X-ray crystallography or Cryo-EM;
- Site-directed mutagenesis assays, when applicable;
- Evaluation of the effects of enzymatic supplementation in cocktails produced by LNBR.
Requirements for the Postdoctoral Fellowship
- PhD in biochemistry, biology, biophysics, chemistry, or related fields;
- Experience in protein expression and purification;
- Previous experience with X-ray crystallography and/or Cryo-EM (desirable);
- Applicants must not hold an employment contract at the time of hiring;
- Availability to reside in Campinas, São Paulo, during the fellowship period.
Information
- Location: CNPEM campus – Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Fellowship: R$ 12,000.00/month
- Duration: 24 months (renewable)
- Supervisors: Dr. Marcele Martins (LNBR/CNPEM) and Prof. Dr. Igor Polikarpov (IFSC)
How to apply
Applications are open until June 20, 2026. Interested candidates should send the documents listed below to marcele.martins@lnbr.cnpem.br and ipolikarpov@ifsc.usp.br. Please indicate in the subject line: Biodiversity Enzymes Project – Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Required Documents
- Updated CV;
- Two recommendation letters;
- For PhD fellowship applicants: Undergraduate transcript (for Direct PhD candidates) or Master’s transcript (for Regular PhD candidates).
About the Project
The prospection of novel glycoside hydrolases and oxidative enzymes from native microorganisms provides the opportunity to access enzymes naturally adapted to Brazilian environmental conditions, including variations in temperature, pH, and the presence of inhibitors. Understanding the diversity and organization of these enzymes enables the optimization of enzymatic pretreatments, the improvement of cellulolytic cocktails, and the development of new bioproducts derived from plant biomass.
Through the isolation, identification, and sequencing of microorganisms present in plant residues collected from Brazilian forest areas, this project aims to experimentally characterize enzymes with innovative potential. Activities include the integrated investigation of glycoside hydrolases (GHs) and auxiliary activity enzymes (AAs), encompassing biochemical, biophysical, and structural characterization of targets with potential industrial applications.
About CNPEM
The Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) is home to a state-of-the-art, multi-user and multidisciplinary scientific environment and works on different fronts within the Brazilian National System for Science, Technology and Innovation. A social organization overseen by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), CNPEM is driven by research that impacts the areas of health, energy, renewable materials, and sustainability. It is responsible for Sirius, the largest assembly of scientific equipment constructed in the country, and is currently constructing Project Orion, a laboratory complex for advanced pathogen research. Highly specialized science and engineering teams, sophisticated infrastructure open to the scientific community, strategic lines of investigation, innovative projects involving the productive sector, and training for researchers and students are the pillars of this institution that is unique in Brazil and able to serve as a bridge between knowledge and innovation. CNPEM’s research and development activities are carried out through its four National Laboratories: Synchrotron Light (LNLS), Biosciences (LNBio), Nanotechnology (LNNano), Biorenewables (LNBR), as well as its Technology Unit (DAT) and the Ilum School of Science — an undergraduate program in Science and Technology supported by the Ministry of Education (MEC).
