Join an international community of PhD students from all across Norway conducting research related to biocatalysis, protein science and similar topics within life sciences.

Our members have a wide range of research interests. Topics include bioprospecting, molecular medicine, computational approaches, enzymes engineering, microbial biotechnology, biomass utilization, protein-interactions, chemical synthesis, structural-biology, kinetics, bioinformatics and many other related topics within life sciences. 

Why become a member?

The academic community specializing in biocatalysis in Norway is small. This means that your particular university likely has one or two topics where it excels, but isn’t capable of mastering everything alone.

BioCat hosts courses and workshops for our PhD student members all over the country. These activities are free, and if you have to travel to get to them, we will cover your travel and lodging costs. If we don’t offer the education that you need but you can find it elsewhere, you can also apply for travel grants and even longer-term research-stay grants. Finally, we also help to expand your network through various engagements such as an annual conference and local social events. All of this is available to PhD students living and studying in Norway at absolutely no cost.

The better question may be: why wouldn’t you become a member?

What is required of a student member?

As a BioCat student member, you should be active in the group and participate in relevant research courses and transferable skill workshops. It is also important that our student members participate in the annual BioCat conference. To become a part of BioCat, both the PhD-student and the PI of their research group must become members.

What is required of the PI/research group?

Almost nothing. We will add you to our mailing list, and PIs/research group leaders are just asked to encourage new PhD students to join us. We hope that all PIs wish to attend the annual conference, but this is not an obligation. 

Examples of current research-field diversity within BioCat

Theoretical chemistry – Systems biology – Organic chemistry – Structural biology – Microbiology – Molecular medicine – Bioinformatics