Lab Technician

The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology, geochemistry and geophysics thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.
- Lab technician (m/w/d) for molecular biology work

**Background**
The position will be localized in the AWI section “Polar Biological Oceanography”. The section uses a wide spectrum of physiological and genetic analytical methods. The focus of the advertised position is on the investigation of marine invertebrates via molecular/genetic analyses. Specifically, we investigate the internal clocks and the control of rhythms in copepods (_Calanus_) and worms (_Platynereis_). Copepods have a key role in pelagic food webs and perform daily and seasonal vertical migrations. _Platynereis_ worms use their internal clocks to synchronize their reproduction with the lunar cycle.

**Your Tasks**
- general lab responsibilities (coordinate lab work, ordering, briefing of students, etc.)
- preparation of media and buffers
- cloning of genes (bacteria culture, digest/ligation, gel-extraction, Maxi
- & Miniprep)
- cell culture (_Drosophila_ S2-cells) and transfection
- RNA/DNA-extraction, cDNA-synthesis, PCR

**Your Profile**
- qualification as a biological lab technician or comparable degree
- experience with molecular work (especially with RNA/DNA, cloning, and/or cell culture)
- motivation to familiarize yourself with a new topic (marine chronobiology)
- good English skills

**Preferred Qualifications and Skills**
- experience with (marine) non-model organisms and/or chronobiology
- experience with western blots and _in situ_ stainings (FISH, immunohistochemistry, HCR)
- experience with the design of primers and plasmids
- experience with marine biology fieldwork

**Further Information**

This is a part-time position (50 %), for 2 years. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level **XX**. The place of employment will be **Bremerhaven.**

**The AWI is characterized by**
- our scientific success - excellent research
- collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
- opportunities to develop - on the job and towards other positions
- an international environment - everyday contact with people from all over the world
- flexible working hours
- health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
- support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
- occupational pension provision (VBL)

Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.

AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways and has received several awards as a result of this commitment. **And as a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our **Family Office** and **International Office** will be glad to support you**, **even before you start at AWI.

Reference number: 24/180/G/Bio-b