Research Fellow

At the Institute of Microbiology, Aquatic Microbiology Research Group, within the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Greifswald, there is a job vacancy, subject to the allocation of funds, expected to be available from
01 April 2026
, for a part-time position (65 %) as

Research Fellow.
The position is limited until
30 June 2029
. Payment will be made in accordance with pay group 13 TV-L Wissenschaft .

We are seeking highly motivated candidates for the newly established Collaborative Research Centre "CONCENTRATE", funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). CONCENTRATE combines expertise from the University of Greifswald, the University of Bremen, the MPI for Marine Microbiology Bremen, the MPI of Colloids and Interfaces Potsdam, the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research and the Technical University of Berlin. The research programme of CONCENTRATE aims to decipher the molecular and microbial processes that lead to the stabilisation of glycans in the ocean. In an interdisciplinary approach, the research team combines laboratory experiments with measurements in natural marine habitats. The focus is on the interactions between algae, bacteria, fungi and their glycans and proteins, examined at an atomic level in the Ångström range. Exploring these fundamental microbiological and biochemical mechanisms will improve our understanding of carbon fluxes in the oceans.

As part of CONCENTRATE, this subproject investigates the role of microbial biominerals and the influence of their morphology on the binding and bacterial degradation of glycans in the ocean. The focus is on the silica cell walls of diatoms and the calcium carbonate plates of coccolithophores - two key algal groups that play a central role in global biogeochemical cycles and account for the majority of biogenic mineral particles in marine systems. You will work with cutting-edge methods in biomineral and glycan analysis and apply genetic engineering approaches to study and manipulate biomineral formation. The position involves close collaboration with the Microbial Ecophysiology Group at the University of Bremen and includes participation in a vibrant, interdisciplinary doctoral network.

Tasks

• Cultivation of microalgae
• Isolation of diatom silica and coccolithophore calcium carbonate plates (coccoliths)
• Isolation and characterisation of mineral-associated organic material
• Analysis of glycan binding to diatom silica and coccoliths
• Genetic engineering of diatoms
• Microscopic analysis (light, fluorescence, and electron microscopy)
• Supervision of dissertation projects (e.g., bachelor's and master's dissertations)
• The position provides the opportunity for academic qualification; tasks will be assigned that are conducive to the preparation of a doctorate

Required

• M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in bioorganic chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, biology, cell and molecular biology, materials science, or a related field with comparable expertise by the time employment starts

Desired

• Interest in interacting with scientists across disciplines
• Scientific enthusiasm and curiosity
• Well-developed communication (verbal and written) and organisational skills

This vacancy is open to all persons, irrespective of gender. Severely disabled applicants with the same qualifications will be considered with preference.

In accordance with

• 68(3) PersVG M-V, the Staff Council will only be involved in staff matters of the academic or artistic staff on request.

Unfortunately, application costs (e.g. travel expenses for interviews) will not be reimbursed by the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Please note that by submitting your application, you provide your consent pursuant to data protection law for our processing of your application data. Further information about the legal bases and the use of your data can be found here .

Applications should include a curriculum vitae (including scientific publications, posters, and presentations), certificates and transcripts from high school, B.Sc., and M.Sc. studies, contact information for at least one academic reference, and a letter of motivation. Please send your application with reference to the job advertisement number
25/Wi37
by

31 January 2026
, preferably via email (one PDF file), to:

University of Greifswald
Institute of Microbiology
Prof. André Scheffel
Felix-Hausdorff-Str.8
17489 Greifswald
Germany
andre.-
Universität Greifswald Domstraße Greifswald MV DE