Postdoctoral research associate (m/f/d)

The Leibniz-Institut DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Braunschweig (www.dsmz.de ) is one of the largest bioresource centers worldwide and conducts cutting-edge research on microbial diversity. In the Bacteriophage Group of the Department Bioeconomy and Health Research we offer the position of a

Postdoctoral research associate (m/f/d)

(100%, E13 TV-L, not eligible for part time work)

Viruses that prey on bacteria and archaea represent the most abundant biological entities on this planet. In recent years, revolutionary discoveries on the biology of prokaryotic viruses (phages) opened up new horizons in research but also enabled novel applications. Therefore, the DSMZ bacteriophage collection and its societal and clinical relevance has attracted a great deal of associated research opportunities as well as extensive recent coverage in the press.

The position is funded through the new Priority Programme “New Concepts in Prokaryotic Virus-host Interactions – From Single Cells to Microbial Communities” (SPP 2330) of the German Research Foundation (DFG). The goal of this Priority Programme is to discover fundamentally new concepts and mechanisms in phage biology by focusing on viral cell biology, new anti-viral defenses, and the viral impact on microbial communities. Within this framework, the post-doctoral project at DSMZ will provide research support and link the different research projects of the SPP. Specific tasks include the provision and deposit of novel bacteriophages and host organisms, isolation and characterization of phages (incl. host range, lifestyle-relevant parameters), sequencing and subsequent bioinformatic analysis of phages and host organisms, establishment of a new phage-dedicated database, and communication with different projects of the SPP.

Essential for the position are a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) in the field of microbiology, strong working knowledge of bacteriophages, cultivation of various bacterial and archaeal organisms, general molecular biology and microbiology techniques and documented experience in bioinformatic analysis and data management. Candidates should therefore have good communication skills that will enable effective interaction with offsite partners within Germany, a high motivation, strengths in goal-oriented project management and experience in teamwork. Good command of English is required and knowledge of German would be a plus.

DSMZ offers state-of-the-art, well-equipped laboratories with high-throughput sequencers (Pacific Biosciences, Illumina), a dedicated, powerful bioinformatics server infrastructure for data analysis and an interdisciplinary working environment with excellent opportunities for developing your scientific career and networks. Employment for the first project funding phase is for 36 months. The planned starting date is October 1, 2021.

The institutes of the Leibniz Association strive to increase the proportion of female scientists and encourage female candidates specifically to apply. Disabled applicants with identical technical and personal qualifications will be preferentially selected.

The DSMZ is an equal opportunity employer, supports balanced work-life career development and holds the certificate of the audit berufundfamilie®.

For further information and more detailed project descriptions please contact Prof. Dr. Jörg Overmann or Dr. Johannes Wittmann. Please, send your complete application documents including a CV, motivation letter, three references, copy of degree/diploma certificates and three publications with application number 16/21 in a single pdf file to bewerbung(at)dsmz.de .

The deadline for this application is August 20, 2021.

www.dsmz.de