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 professorship of the Viral Ecology and Omics (VEO) seeks to fill the position of a:

Postdoctoral Researcher experimental
“Microverse-scale Viral and Microbial Ecology”

commencing on the 1st of July 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.
We offer a full-time position (40 hours per week) initially offered as a fixed-term position until the 31st of August 2027. If you are interested but are only available at a later date, please indicate this in your cover letter. A total contract term of two and a half years is planned with the possibility to be extended subject to suitability.

To strengthen the wet lab side of our team, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in environmental microbiology or virology, microbial ecology, meta’omics, or a closely related field.
You will be embedded in the Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse (microverse-cluster.de). The Cluster combines expertise in life, material, optical and computational sciences to elucidate fundamental principles of the interactions and functions in microbial communities in diverse habitats. 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 Viral Ecology and Omics Group (veo.uni-jena.de) aims to study the role of viruses in the Microverse. To do this, we combine microbiological and eco/evolutionary experiments with molecular biology, microscopy, (meta ) genomics, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and computational modelling. Our wet lab manager oversees a level S1/S2 wet lab featuring a state-of-the-art high-throughput laboratory automation system with plate reader, microscopy, microbiology, and molecular biology facilities. Our dry lab manager supports access to bioinformatics tools and databases on the FSU high-performance compute cluster consisting of 100 CPU and 8 GPU nodes, plus a 4Tb fat node with access to global genomic and metagenomic datasets on our 2+ petabyte storage disks.

Your responsibilities:

• Plan, design, and conduct microbiological and eco/evolutionary experiments to study the interactions between microbes and viruses in microbiomes.
• Study how microbiome functioning and dynamics are affected by viruses.
• Investigate the underlying mechanisms, with an emphasis on virus-host interactions.
• Use molecular biology experiments to test specific hypotheses, contribute experimental evidence to unravel the mechanisms shaping the Microverse.
• Communicate and discuss your predictions with computational group members.
• Report your findings in publications and presentation at international scientific platforms.
• Support PhD students, Master students and undergraduate project students.
• Collaborate proactively with experimental and computational researchers in the Microverse.

Your profile:

• A PhD in microbiology, virology, microbial ecology, or related discipline.
• Specialist knowledge and hands-on expertise in standard microbiological techniques. Direct experience with viromics, microcosms, experimental evolution, or laboratory automation is required. Your personal specific expertise will be of benefit.
• The work is not bound to a specific biome, so hands-on experience with multiple ecosystems is advantageous.
• Track record of planning, performing, and publishing original research.
• Track record of supervision and training of students or junior researchers.
• Enthusiasm and talent for interdisciplinary research, communication skills, ability to work in a team and to interact with people from diverse nationalities and scientific backgrounds.
• Strong motivation, excellent organisation skills and ability to contribute to a friendly and collaborative working environment in a cross-disciplinary scientific research group.
• Fluency in English is required, both written and spoken. Fluency in German is advantageous. Fluency in other languages is a plus.

We offer:

• A highly communicative atmosphere within an energetic scientific network.
• Embedding in a leading research group in the field of viral ecology and metagenomics.
• A unique opportunity to integrate modelling, omics data, and wet lab experiments.
• A comprehensive continuing education programme and individual qualification and development measures.
• Jena – City of Science: a young and lively town with a vibrant local cultural agenda. Jena is among the most liveable cities in Germany. Situated on the Saale River and surrounded by the famous Thuringian Forest, this city is ideal for lovers of nature and hiking.
• University health promotion and a wide range of university sports activities;
• Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) up to salary scale E 13 (depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications) including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement.
• 30 days of vacation per calendar year plus two days off on December 24 and 31

In principle, the job is also suitable for part-time employment. The extent to which a part-time request can be granted, in particular with regard to the location and scope of the part-time work, will be assessed on the basis of the needs of the service. To promote gender equality in science, applications by women are especially invited. Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

Are you eager to work with us? Then apply by the 28th of April 2025 using our online form. Applications in English should comprise a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae including a list of your publications, copies of academic certificates and names and contact details of two references.