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 DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre 1076 "AquaDiva - Understanding the Links between Surface and Subsurface Biogeosphere" is an ambitious research centre with more than 70 researchers from various research areas (www.aquadiva.uni-jena.de). It is located at Friedrich Schiller University and three non-university research institutes in Jena and Leipzig.

The Cheminformatics Group at the Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences seeks to fill the position of a

Postdoctoral Researcher in Cheminformatics / Bioinformatics (m/f/d)

commencing on 1 March 2022, or at the earliest possible date in the project "Metagenomic prediction of biosynthetic capacity in the Critical Zone".

Background

This project aims to predict metabolites from microbes in groundwater based on metagenomic information. The groundwater is dominated by rare species and any prediction methods for the groundwater metabolome are potentially highly speculative.

Your responsibilities

• Developing methods and software towards the prediction of metabolites from microbes in groundwater, based on metagenomic information in collaboration with the wider team and based on methods that have been developed by us and collaborators
• Management of the project and reporting to the project leader
• Writing and publishing scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals
• Presenting results at national and international conferences
• Supervision of students and doctoral candidates in degree theses

Your Profile

• PhD degree in cheminformatics, bioinformatics, or similar fields is necessary; candidates expected to earn their degree by March 2022 are welcome to apply
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (Python, Java, …) is expected
• Knowledge in computational metabolism is advantageous
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and spoken
• Enthusiasm to play an active role in the interdisciplinary research team of AquaDiva
• Highly motivated and creative individuals with an interest to shape the research project

We offer

• A postdoctoral researcher position with generous research funding and the possibility of research stays abroad
• Participation in a strongly interdisciplinary research project and diverse experimental and theoretical approaches, combined with the opportunity for research on an innovative and unique Critical Zone research platform
• A communicative atmosphere within an international scientific network of universities and research institutes providing top-level research facilities, equipment and infrastructure
• Individual qualification and development measures in the frame of the Integrated Research Training Group AquaDiva and embedded with the Jena Graduate Academy
• University health promotion including a wide range of University sports activities and a family-friendly working environment with a variety of offers for families
• Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) at salary scale E13 - depending on the candidate's personal qualifications-, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement

Your application

The position is limited until June 30, 2025. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week).

The project is supervised by Prof. Dr. C. Steinbeck; the place of work will be Jena - City of Science.

FSU Jena and CRC AquaDiva seek to increase the number of women in those research areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourage women to apply. Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

Are you interested to work with us? Then submit your application, addressed to Prof. Dr. C. Steinbeck and stating the Id 430/2021 , by 15 January 2022 to

christoph.steinbeck@uni-jena.de 

All applications should be in English and include (in one PDF file, max. size 15 MB) at least the following:

1.   Cover letter (max. 1 page, describing your motivation, research interests, and relevant experiences)

2.   Curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages, including contact details of at least two scientific references)

3.   Scans of certificates, diplomas, and other (e.g., PhD/M.Sc/B.Sc. certificate - if not in English or German, please provide a translation)

For queries concerning the application process or project-related questions, please contact Prof. Dr. C. Steinbeck (christoph.steinbeck@uni-jena.de).

Contact