Job Advertisement
HKI-38/2024

The Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) investigates the pathobiology of human-pathogenic fungi and develops novel natural product-based anti-infectives. As part of the Thuringian Research Group Program, we are setting up the junior research group Secondary Metabolism of Microbial Interactions and invite talented and highly motivated candidates to apply for a position as a

Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/div) in Natural Product Discovery

Natural products, especially of bacterial or fungal origin, are an important source of new antibiotics. These metabolites also play crucial roles in microbial interactions and communication. We are investigating interactions in the moss microbiome, a promising but understudied habitat, to discover novel antimicrobial natural products. The candidate will collect bacterial strains from mosses and use bioinformatics (metagenomics, genome mining) to identify novel biosynthetic gene clusters in the moss microbiome. Promising gene clusters will be characterized experimentally to isolate the corresponding natural products and determine their activities.

To complement our young and committed team, we are seeking an excellent and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to start in January 2025. The project is supported by the Free State of Thuringia and the European Social Fund Plus.

Your profile:

• Doctoral degree in life sciences or chemistry (e.g., [chemical] biology, biochemistry, microbiology, bioinformatics, or a related discipline)
• Experience in natural product isolation/characterization or natural product bioinformatics (genome mining, metagenomics)
• Experience in working with plants is an advantage
• Experience in high-resolution mass spectrometry and metabolomics is a plus
• Data analysis and (Python) programming skills are beneficial
• Very good communication skills in English, both written and spoken
• Well-developed collaborative skills

We offer:

The successful candidate will join the junior research group Secondary Metabolism of Microbial Interactions, led by Dr. Jethro Hemmann. The Leibniz-HKI is embedded in the outstanding scientific environment of the Beutenberg Campus, providing state-of-the-art research facilities and a highly integrative network of life science groups. We offer a multifaceted scientific project with excellent technical facilities, a place in a committed team, and strong scientific collaborations. Salary is paid according to German TV-L (salary agreement for public service employees).

Further information:

Dr. Jethro Hemmann | +49 3641 532-1478 | career@leibniz-hki.de

Applications:

Leibniz-HKI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We aim to increase the proportion of underrepresented groups in case of equal suitability. All qualified persons, regardless of color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other classification protected by law, will receive consideration for employment.

Complete applications in English should include a cover letter, a CV containing a complete list of publications, a brief statement of research experiences, a certificate of study/transcript of records, and the addresses of two possible referees. Applications should be submitted via the Leibniz-HKI online application system. The deadline for the advertisement is October 13, 2024, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.