Doctoral Researcher (f/div/m) in Microbiology/ Biotechnology
for three years initially with the chance to obtain a doctoral degree.
Research area:
The research of the Microfluidics Group at the department Bio Pilot Plant has established a droplet-based microfluidic strategy to exploit microbial diversity and implement ultra-high-throughput screening for bacteria producing novel natural products. We have pioneered in the encapsulation and cultivation of cells and microorganisms in picoliter droplets for various biotechnological applications. Thereby, we work in interdisciplinary cooperation projects with industrial and academic partners.
We are seeking a new co-worker to drive forward our efforts in cultivating microbes for the discovery of natural products. The successful candidate will cultivate and isolate microorganisms as resources for new substances relevant for medical applications, e. g. antibiotics. This work will be in tight collaboration with our projects in the cluster of excellence “Balance of the Microverse” and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF).
What you can expect:
- You will be trained in operating picoliter droplet cultivations
- You will design and conduct high-throughput microbial cultivation experiments from different habitat inocula
- You will design and conduct functional assays for the identification of new natural product producers
- You will characterize and analyze any newly isolated natural product producer
- You will process, analyze and interpret the data resulting from your experiments, prepare reports and scientific publications
- You will take part and present your work in scientific discussions and at national and international meetings
Candidate’s profile:
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in microbiology, biotechnology or related life sciences discipline. Candidates about to obtain their degree are welcome to apply
- And proven experience in microbial pure culture handling
- You must have a strong interest and proven experience in microbiology and techniques for screening microbial activity
- You have knowledge of optical detection methods and basic knowledge of microfluidic principles and techniques
- You may have knowledge in image processing and analysis
- You may have knowledge in biostatistics and bioinformatics, e. g. microbial community analysis
- You embrace working in an international and interdisciplinary research team
- You appreciate team-oriented as well as creative and independent work
- You possess very good communication skills in English
What we offer:
- A dynamic, innovative, interdisciplinary, diverse and highly motivated working group
- An outstanding scientific environment of the Beutenberg Campus providing state-of-the-art research facilities and a highly integrative network of life science and technical science institutes and groups
- Excellent technical facilities and a broad spectrum of state-of-the art methodologies
- Strong scientific collaborations with academic and industrial partners
- Possibilities to realize own innovative ideas and develop new projects
- Registration as a graduate student at Friedrich Schiller University Jena and benefits from the extended graduate training of the Jena Graduate Academy and the Jena School of Microbial Communication
- A Salary paid according to German TV-L (salary agreement for public service employees)
For further information:
Prof. Dr. Miriam Agler-Rosenbaum | +49 3641 532-1120 | career@leibniz-hki.de
Applications:
Leibniz-HKI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. It aims to increase the proportion of underrepresented groups in case of equal suitability. All qualified persons, regardless of color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other classification protected by law will receive consideration for employment.
Complete applications in English should include a cover letter, a CV containing a complete list of publications, a brief statement of research experiences and the addresses of two possible referees and should be submitted via the Leibniz-HKI online application system. The deadline for the advertisement is December 31, 2023, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.