Friedrich Schiller University is a traditional university with a strong research profile rooted in the heart of Germany. As a university covering all disciplines, it offers a wide range of subjects. Its research is focused on the areas Light – Life – Liberty. It is closely networked with non-research institutions, research companies and renowned cultural institutions. With around 18,000 students and more than 8,600 employees, the university plays a major role in shaping Jena’s character as a cosmopolitan and future-oriented city.

The Cluster of Excellence “Balance of the Microverse” (microverse-cluster.de) combines expertise in life, material, optical and computational sciences to elevate microbiome studies from descriptive to hypothesis-driven and functional analyses. Our core mission 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 Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse invites applications for a

Junior Research Group Leader (f/m/d)
to head a group on
Mechanistic modeling of microbial interactions

commencing on 1st September 2022 or the next possible date thereafter. Are you a theoretical / computational scientist looking to start your own independent research group in the context of microbial interaction mechanisms? Possible areas of interest include:

• Metabolic interactions between microbes
• Microbe-microbe signaling networks
• Competitive/cooperative interactions
• Mechanisms of microbial diversity generation and maintenance
• (Sub-)community dynamics / models for ecosystem dynamics
• Spatial modelling of interacting systems of microbes
• Community-level systems biology
• Dynamic Bayesian network models
• Causal inference
• Data-driven network topology analysis / stability analysis

We seek applications from highly collaborative, communicative, and committed postdoctoral researchers with international experience, an outstanding scientific track record, and the ambition to start their own research group. The Microverse Cluster in Jena provides an exceptional research environment focused on analyzing microbial communities in all their complexity. World-leading technologies are available to measure any aspect of a microbial system, and domain experts who focus on a range of different habitats. The successful candidate will also contribute to the interdisciplinary post-graduate training program of the Jena School for Microbial Communication.

Your responsibilities:

• Develop a junior research group using external as well as internal funding sources
• Conduct research and develop models to characterize microbial interaction mechanisms
• Actively collaborate within our energetic and interdisciplinary Microverse community

Your profile:

• A doctoral degree and significant postdoctoral experience in (Micro-)biology, Bioinformatics, Theoretical Biology, Biological Physics, Systems Biology or a related field
• An excellent track record in one or more of the above-mentioned modeling approaches or closely related topics
• A track record in successful interdisciplinary cooperation or a demonstrated willingness and ability to work in such a setting
• The ability to work creatively and independently towards developing your own research program
• An integrative and cooperative personality with enthusiasm for actively participating in our Microverse research community
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and spoken

We offer:

• A highly communicative atmosphere within a scientific network of experimental and theoretical research groups, and top-level research infrastructure
• Flexible, attractive funding package for running a research group, including e. g. funding for a postdoc and a PhD student or technician, equipment and consumables budget
• Remuneration in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) depending on the personal qualifications up to salary scale E14
• 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
• Attractive fringe benefits, e. g. capital formation benefits (VL), Job Ticket (benefits for public transport), and an occupational pension (VBL)

The full-time junior group leader position is initially limited to 4 years, with possibility for extension upon positive assessment.

Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability. To promote gender equality in science, applications by woman are especially welcome.

Applications in English should comprise a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, copies of academic certificates, research agenda, and a list of publications, acquired funding and awards. Please submit your application as a single PDF file, stating the vacancy ID 167/2022 by 15 June 2022 to

Dr. Angela Köhler
Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse
microverse@uni-jena.de

Since all application documents will be duly destroyed after the recruitment process, we ask you to submit only copies of your documents.

For further information for applicants, please also refer to
www4.uni-jena.de/stellenmarkt_hinweis.html (in German)
Please also note the information on the collection of personal data at
www4.uni-jena.de/en/jobs_information_collecting_personal_data.html