Postdoctoral Researcher in Microbial Ecology

Postdoctoral Researcher in Microbial Ecology

Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Jena, Germany

The Support Unit “iBarc” aims at supporting iDiv researchers in their metabarcoding analyses, ranging from project planning to laboratory analyses and sequence data analysis pipelines, across a broad range of taxonomic groups. In addition, we aim to foster scientific integration and initiate new collaborative projects across diverse taxonomic groups, iDiv research areas, and iDiv locations. The postdoctoral researcher's duties will include the provision of metabarcoding services and support, as well as the communication of needs and interests between the Support Unit, researchers seeking guidance and services, and the broader iBarc network. This position will also include the opportunity to get involved in research projects, and to write review articles on theoretical or applied aspects of metabarcoding. The Postdoc will work in close collaboration with a second Postdoc who is located at the iDiv core center in Leipzig.

Your responsibilities:

• Implementation and optimization of sequence analysis pipelines and reference databases for metabarcoding analysis of bacteria, fungi, protists, and invertebrates;
• Providing support with sequence data analysis and downstream statistical data analysis to individual iDiv research groups;
• Organization of meetings and workshops among members of the iBarc research network;
• Organization and lead of metabarcoding courses for the iDiv community;
• (Co-)authoring and publishing of scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Your profile:

• Scientific University degree (Diploma/ M.Sc.) in a project-related field (e.g., ecology, microbiology), a doctoral degree is desirable;
• At least three years of experience in research and in the publication of scientific results which can have been obtained during the PhD phase;
• Excellent skills in amplicon sequencing analysis of bacterial communities, experience with metabarcoding of fungi, protists and/or invertebrates is desirable;
• Experience in the application of multivariate statistics in microbial ecology;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
• Team-orientation with interest and ability in interdisciplinary research and organizational skills.