Postdoc (m/f/d) in Endosymbiosis Research

The group of Prof. Dr. Eva Nowack, Institute of Microbial Cell Biology, faculty of Biology at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf is looking for Postdoc (m/f/d) in Endosymbiosis Research Job-ID: J000000535 Startdatum: 01.02.2026 Befristet bis: 31.01.2028 Einsatzort: Düsseldorf Art der Anstellung: Vollzeit Tätigkeitsbereich: Wissenschaft / Forschung / Lehre Entgeltgruppe: EGr. 13 TV-L Bewerben bis: 12.12.2025 Düsseldorf is a lively city in the center of Europe. The Institute of Microbial Cell Biology is part of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at HHU Düsseldorf. We are an international team of scientist. Lab language is English. We cover a broad range of biological and biochemical techniques and have access to state-of-the-art service facilities (e.g., in advanced imaging, structural biology, and proteomics) on campus. Postdocs can additionally enroll in interdisciplinary qualification and soft skill training courses offered by the 'Junior Scientist and International Researcher Center' of HHU (JUNO). Main tasks Our group is an enthusiastic team of cell and evolutionary biologists who investigate the evolutionary transition from bacterial endosymbionts to eukaryotic organelles. We are eager to understand the interactions of protists with permanent bacterial endosymbionts on a mechanistic level. To this end, we combine an array of state-of-the-art omics technologies with a strong focus on detailed molecular biological and protein biochemical experimentation to test omics-derived hypotheses. As model systems we established the photosynthetic amoeba Paulinella chromatophora and the symbiont-harboring trypanosomatid Angomonas deanei (plus relatives) in the lab. During the past years, we have gained fascinating insights into the process of organellogenesis and developed novel tools to dissect the biology of host/symbiont interactions (see e.g., Singer et al. (2017) Curr Biol. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.08.010.; Morales et al. (2023) Curr Biol. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.020.; Sørensen et al. (2024) FEBS J. doi: 10.1111/febs.17356; Maurya et al. (2025) Science Adv. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adp8518; Klimenko et al. (2025) Plant Phys. doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiaf504). To support the research of the group, we are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher. The successful candidate will work on a current project central to our research questions (that can partially be shaped by the interests and strengths of the successful candidate). Your profil A PhD in biology, biochemistry or a related area Research experience in protistology, endosymbiosis biology, organelle biology or comparative genomics (in the latter case, with at least basic wet lab experience in protistology, endosymbiosis or organelle biology) A strong motivation in experimental work, literature search and scientific writing Readiness to work independently and as a team player in an interdisciplinary, international team Fluency (oral and written) in English Proactive character, creativity, communication and presentation skills, excellent organization and analytical skills We envision to enable the successful candidate to develop into a group leader and generate independent funding within the next two to three years. Therefore, the position aims at researchers with an excellent academic track record, who are poised for an academic career. Our Offer The position is initially limited for a period of 2 years with the possibility of extension. It is a qualification position in the sense of the Act of Academic Fixed-Term Contract (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG), which is to promote the scientific qualification of the employee. The pay scale grouping will be 13 TV-L. Our benefits: betriebliche Altersvorsorge tarifgebundene Bezahlung Zahlung vermögenswirksamer Leistungen flexible Arbeitszeit Home Office Teilzeit möglich internationales Arbeiten gute Verkehrsanbindung kostenfreie Parkplätze Die Heinrich-Heine-Universität vertritt das Prinzip der »Exzellenz durch Vielfalt«. Sie hat die »Charta der Vielfalt« unterzeichnet und erfolgreich am Audit »Vielfalt gestalten« des Stifterverbandes teilgenommen. Sie ist als familiengerechte Hochschule zertifiziert und hat den HR Excellence in Research Award der Europäischen Union erhalten. Bewerbungen von Menschen aller Geschlechter sind ausdrücklich erwünscht. Bewerbungen von Frauen werden nach Maßgabe des Landesgleichstellungsgesetzes bevorzugt berücksichtigt. Die Bewerbung schwerbehinderter und ihnen gleichgestellter behinderter Menschen ist ebenso erwünscht. Zur Berücksichtigung einer Schwerbehinderung oder Gleichstellung weisen Sie diese bitte durch geeignete Unterlagen nach. Please apply online: Contact: Nicole Brand, +49 211 81 11972 Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf Dezernat Personal hhu.deBiochemie Biologie Postdoc Lehre & Forschung, Wissenschaft Universität Teilzeit Vollzeit