Post-doctoral researcher (m/f/d) in Marine Microbial Natural Product Chemistry

Deadline: 11th August 2024

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is a foundation of public law jointly financed by the Federal Republic of Germany (90 %) and the state of Schleswig-Holstein (10 %) and is one of the internationally leading institutions in the field of marine sciences.

Through our research and our commitment to the transfer of knowledge and technology, we contribute significantly to the preservation of the function and protection of the ocean for future generations.

GEOMAR Research Unit Marine Natural Products Chemistry / GEOMAR Centre for Marine Biotechnology is seeking an experienced 

Post-doctoral researcher (m/f/d) in ‘‘Marine Microbial Natural Product Chemistry’’

The position is available for 3 years starting at the earliest date possible.

Job Description

We are seeking a skilled and motivated post-doctoral researcher who will work in ecology -driven marine drug discovery project(s). One main task will be the investigation of the (cultivable) microbiome of robust / invasive marine organisms i) to unravel their contribution to the overall fitness of the host organism through production of bioactive secondary metabolites, ii) to identify their potential, simultaneously, for drug discovery against human diseases. Both “one-microbe-at-a-time” and the “Synthetic microbial Community (SynCom)” approaches will be employed for microbial cultivations.

The responsibilities of the candidate will involve innovative cultivation and extraction of marine microorganisms; investigating their chemical capacity by comparative genomics and metabolomics (computational untargeted metabolomics using LC-MS/MS-based molecular networks); fractionation of the extracts; LC-MS and bioactivity-guided isolation and structure elucidation of the purified metabolites. The candidate will supervise/train students and maintain analytical equipment. He:She will cooperate with other large collaborative projects of the research group.

Requirements for successful application are:

• A diploma and a PhD in (marine) microbial natural product chemistry
• Hands-on experience and a strong understanding of metabolomics/dereplication of natural products by LC-MS/MS (preferably by molecular networks)
• Solid experience in purification of natural products (by HPLC and other chromatographic methods)
• High competence in structure elucidation of natural products (1D and 2D NMR, HRMS, other spectroscopic and computational methods)
• Experience in writing first author-publications, high publication track record in scientific journals and conference presentations
• Excellent communication skills in English (both spoken and written).

Desirable qualifications

• Experience in microbial genomics and biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) analyses
• Microbiomics (e.g., NGS)
• A scientific diving license
• A full car driving license

GEOMAR is located directly on the Kiel Fjord with many leisure and recreational opportunities, we offer you:

• An exciting and international work environment with the opportunity to provide important impetus for the development of sustainable solutions
• Work in the field of marine and climate research, a forward-looking area with social significance
• Attention to questions of work-life balance, including the possibility of mobile working and individual working time arrangements
• Vacation camps for the children of employees
• Support in finding a place in a day-care centre at the Kiel site
• Support services for professional and personal life situations
• 30 vacation days + additional time off at Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
• Company pension plan and capital-forming benefits

The research unit Marine Natural Products Chemistry offers a dynamic, international and innovative research environment with excellent infrastructure and networks, a collaborative work culture, thus is an ideal incubator for a successful career. Our labs are equipped with state-of-the-art chemical facilities including in-house UPLC-QTOF-MS coupled with DESI Imaging Mass Spectrometry, HPLC-DAD-MS, HPLC-HRMS, GC-MS, automated extraction systems such as Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) and Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE), FT-IR, polarimeter and related databases, as well as excellent microbiology/biotechnology facilities and over 75 running in vitro biological assays. Our in-house microbial culturing facilities span from small (1 L) to large-scale (300 L fermenter), as well as access to sequencing facilities. GEOMAR has full access to high-resolution (cryo-) NMR facilities at Kiel University. We lead or participate multiple collaborative EU or national research projects.

Working language in the group is English.

The position is available for a funding period of three years, starting at the earliest date possible. The salary depends on qualification and could be up to the class 13 TVöD-Bund of the German tariff for public employees. This is a full-time position and the position can be basically split. The fixed-term contract shall comply with Section 2 Paragraph 1 of The Act of Academic Fixed-Term Contract (German WissZeitVG).

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel seeks to increase the proportion of female scientists and explicitly encourages qualified female academics to apply. GEOMAR is an equal opportunity employer and encourages scientists with disabilities to apply. Qualified disabled applicants will receive preference in the application process.

Please submit your application in English no later than 11^th August 2024 using the following link: 

https://bewerbung.geomar.de/P000126230/en 

As soon as the selection procedure has finished, all application papers will be destroyed according to data protection regulation.

For further information regarding the position and research unit, please contact Prof. Dr. Deniz Tasdemir by e-mail (dtasdemir(at)geomar.de).

Further questions will be answered by e-mail to bewerbung(at)geomar.de. In doing so, please refer to the keyword “MN-Chem-PD”.

For further information on GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel or the Helmholtz Association, please visit www.geomar.de or www.helmholtz.de.

GEOMAR is committed to an objective and non-discriminatory personnel selection. Our job advertisements address all people. We expressly renounce the submission of application photos.