Postdoc/Scientist (f_m_x) - faecal steroid biosynthesis

1 May 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam - Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ

Research Field

Geosciences

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
Established Researcher (R3)

Country

Germany

Application Deadline

22 May 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

To be defined

Job Status

Other

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Job description:

The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for research into the geosphere. With around 1,500 employees, we develop a sound understanding of systems and processes of the solid Earth as well as strategies and options for action to counter global change, understand natural hazards and sustainably secure energy and raw material requirements.

For section 3.2 Organische Geochemie (department Geochemistry), we are looking for a:

Reference Number 9326

Project: Mass spectrometric determination of cortico- and 5b-steroids in biological, faecal and environmental samples

Section 3.2 at GFZ Potsdam is focuses on molecular and isotopic organic geochemistry, a.o.  steroid biosynthesis. Various faecal steroids are considered as useful indicators of physiological stress or are used, for example, to detect the influence of humans and livestock in recent sediments. This project is mainly concerned with the biosynthesis and faecal transformation of steroids.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate for a postdoctoral position to principally work on the determination of corticosteroid fingerprints in a variety of biological matrices (including tissue and faeces) and environmental samples (soils, sediments), in order to shed more light on intrinsic (e.g. physiology) and extrinsic factors (e.g. stress) affecting the biological corticosteroid fingerprint as well as on the stability of such signatures in the environment. In addition, controls on the intestinal conversion to 5ß-steroids will be examined.

The successful candidate will collect regional sample materials and process them using wet chemical techniques. Workup methods should be optimized in terms of workup speed and efficiency to enable high-throughput analysis using HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS. Willingness for repeated one-day travel and the legal ability to drive a car in Germany are expected. The position can be filled immediately and has a duration of up to 24 months until the end of May 2026. Enquiries can be addressed to Prof. Dr. Christian Hallmann.

Your responsibilities:

• Actively coordinate the project (sample acquisition e.g. from collaboration partners, analyses, results, communication thereof, meetings and presentations)
• Wet chemical workup of samples
• Molecular analysis of steroids using triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry combined with HPLC and GC
• Statistical evaluation of data
• Interpretation of data in coordination with PI
• Publication of results in the international peer-reviewed literature
• Presentation of results at conferences

Your qualifications:

• Master’s degree and PhD in Chemistry, Biology, Geosciences or a related field
• Experience with wet-lab organic (geo)chemistry
• Flexibility and willingness for repeated one-day travel
• Hands-on, can-do attitude with high respect for deadlines
• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills
• Proactive communication of progress and results
• Diligent and well-organized persona with great attention to detail
• Good writing and communication skills in English
• German or international driver’s license

Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: Up to 24 months until the end of May 2026
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.
Working hours: Full-time (currently 39 h/week); The position is generally suitable for part-time work.
Place of work: Potsdam

What we offer:

• Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
• State-of-the-art equipment
• Public service benefits
• Extensive training opportunities
• Professional career advice offered by our in-house Career-Center 
• Flexible working hours and conditions
• Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work
• Institute day-care center on site
• Working at the Albert Einstein science park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
• Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus

Have we piqued your interest?

If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 22nd May 2024. Please use our online application form only.

Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. The GFZ actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. Anyone who has been recognized as severely disabled, will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX. If you have any questions, please contact our representative for the severely disabled at sbv[at]gfz-potsdam.de, who will be happy to assist you in the further application process. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer at gba[at]gfz-potsdam.de.

Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Prof. Christian Hallmann either via email at [email protected] or phone +49 (0)331-6264 1733. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.

Requirements
Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://gfz-potsdam.concludis.de/prj/shw/45ececbb4fa848ad3a87f3ee17919755_0/932…

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam - Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ

Country

Germany

City

Potsdam

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Website

https://gfz-potsdam.concludis.de/prj/shw/45ececbb4fa848ad3a87f3ee17919755_0/932…

Contact

City

Potsdam

Website

https://www.gfz-potsdam.de/en

Street

Telegrafenberg

Postal Code

14473

E-Mail

[email protected]

Phone

+49 331 288-0

Fax

+49 331 288-1600

STATUS: EXPIRED