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 areas 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 Cluster of Excellence “Balance of the Microverse” 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. The research group of Dr. Amelia Barber at the Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse invites applications for a

Doctoral Researcher in the areas of
Microbial Pathogens and Climate Change

commencing Autumn 2025 or upon agreement.
We offer a part-time position (65%, 26 hours per week), offered as a fixed-term position for 3.5 years.

Most fungal pathogens that infect humans originate from the environment. However, our understanding of how climate change will influence these pathogens remains limited. This project will explore how changing environmental conditions impact the evolution, behaviour, and potential infectivity of environmental fungal pathogens. Combining experimental approaches (e.g. environmental microcosm) with cutting edge bioinformatics, we will investigate the impact of climate change on the genomes and phenotypic behaviour of fungal pathogens and explore the potential emergence of novel pathogens in a warming world.

Your responsibilities:

• Perform laboratory experiments and work independently towards your doctoral research project
• Analyse project results, generate figures for publications, write drafts of scientific manuscripts for publication
• Present your results at local, national, and international meetings and conferences
• Work closely together with other experimental and computational researchers in the group
• Assist with training and supervising other researchers (e.g. student assistants, BSc students)
• Contribute to the friendly, welcoming, and collaborative environment within the group

Your profile:

• A MSc in the biological sciences, bioinformatics, or related disciplines. Candidates in the final stages of obtaining their MSc are encouraged to apply
• Laboratory experience with microbiology and/or microbiology
• A high level of curiosity, motivation, enthusiasm and attention to detail that is backed up by achievements thus far
• An integrative and cooperative personality who will actively contribute to our interdisciplinary Microverse community
• Very good written and spoken English communication skills
• The project will require coding for data analysis and statistics, as well as NGS data analysis. Experience with either of these would be advantageous but an eagerness and commitment to learn is more important than prior experience.

Are you hesitating because you don't meet one or some of our requirements? Please do not hesitate to apply and give us a chance to get to know you.

We offer:

• A highly communicative atmosphere within an energetic scientific network
• The affiliated Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC) offers an ambitious, structured, and interdisciplinary doctoral training based on top-level fundamental research and offers a comprehensive mentoring program and soft skills courses for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers
• Jena—City of Science: a young and lively town with a vibrant local cultural agenda and is centrally located for trips to major cities such as Leipzig, Berlin, Dresden, Frankfurt and Munich.
• 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
• Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) at 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

The 3.5 year doctoral researcher position (TV-L E13, 65%) is funded through the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments.

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

Are you eager to work for us? Then apply by 31.08.2025 using our online form.

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