Postdoctoral Researcher Position in The Field of Vampiristic Interactions Among Bacteria

Job advertisement
**Vacancy ID**: 097/2025
**Closing date**: 2025-05-22
The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in the profile lines Light - Life - Liberty, which provide pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.
The core mission of the of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena is to elucidate fundamental principles of the interactions and functions in microbial communities in diverse habitats, ranging from oceans and groundwater to plant and human hosts. We aim to identify the shared characteristics of disturbed or polluted ecosystems as well as infectious diseases on the microbiome level, and develop strategies for their remediation by targeted interventions. The affiliated early career program of the Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC) offers an ambitious, structured and interdisciplinary post-graduate training based on top-level fundamental research.
Postdoctoral Researcher Position in the Field of Vampiristic Interactions among Bacteria
**Background**:
The project will be hosted at the Aquatic Geomicrobiology working group at the Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena.
**Your responsibilities**:

- Maintenance of the host-parasite system and characterization of growth and infection dynamics in incubation experiments
- Close collaboration with working groups using Raman-based cell sorting and microscopic imaging including cryo-TEM
- Metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics data analysis
- Work in an interdisciplinary team of microbial ecologists and integrate into the Cluster of Excellence consortium
- Contribute to the development of the project, as it evolves
- Produce high-quality written reports and draft papers. Present your results at international and national conferences and at local meetings and outreach events
- Contribute to maintaining the friendly, welcoming and collaborative environment within the group

**Your profile**:

- Excellent background in microbial ecology, documented by publications in peer-reviewed journals
- Desirable methodological skills: Experience in microbiological cultivation techniques, microscopic techniques, and general methods of molecular microbial ecology, NGS and multiomics analysis
- Highly motivated individuals with an interest in joining one of the interdisciplinary research areas of the Microverse Cluster
- The ability to work creatively and independently towards developing your own research project
- An integrative and cooperative personality with enthusiasm for actively participating in the dynamic Microverse community
- English communication skills, both written and spoken

**We offer**:

- A highly communicative atmosphere within an energetic scientific network
- A comprehensive mentoring program and soft skill courses for early career researchers
- Jena - City of Science: a young and lively town with a vibrant local cultural agenda
- A family-friendly working environment with a variety of offers for families: University Family Office ‘JUniFamilie’ and flexible childcare (‘JUniKinder’)
- University health promotion and a wide range of university sports activities
- 30 days of vacation per calendar year plus two days off on December 24 and 31

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