Postdoc Position in Microbial Omics and Pollution

Postdoc Position in Microbial Omics and Pollution

(Fixed-term for 33 Months)

IGB - Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries

Stechlin, Germany

For the Department of Plankton and Microbial Ecology in the MIBI group (HP Grossart) of the IGB at Lake Stechlin, we are looking for a Postdoc (f/m/x) as of 1st of November 2026, for a project using metagenomics to follow microbial colonization and antibiotics gene transmission between prokaryotes and microeukaryotes (fungi & protists) following aquatic pollution such as microplastic.

The work is carried out as part of a multidisciplinary EU–India project HARMONY’s which aims for joint development, field validation, data sharing and policy alignment to contribute to the implementation of relevant EU and Indian environmental frameworks, while supporting the Global Efforts to End Plastic Pollution. Scientific advances will be complemented by multi-level stakeholder engagement, including co-creation workshops, policy dialogues, and capacity-building activities, ensuring effective knowledge transfer and fostering sustainable, evidence-based marine governance in both regions. In their own right, plastic pollution and climate change cause devastating impacts on Earth’s ecosystems and present a formidable threat to health, biodiversity and water security.

To reach Harmony’s objectives, we will conduct our research and activities in different socio-ecological settings characterized by distinctive exposure to pollution, climate change impacts, antimicrobial resistance, policy and regulation contexts, and socio-economic level.

Your tasks

• Analysis of planktonic and benthic microorganisms from lab experiments using molecular and microbiological tools;
• Field sampling in India;
• Bioinformatic and statistical analyses, e.g. genome annotation;
• Relate environmental variables to microbial dynamics;
• Build pipelines for functional OMICS analyses;
• Contributions to the overall scientific activities, publications, management and communication activities of Harmony.

Your profile

Mandatory:

• PhD degree in biology, genetics, bioinformatics, or similar;
• Excellent knowledge in molecular biology, especially DNA metagenomics and metatranscriptomics;
• Knowledge of bioinformatics and statistical tools;
• Experience in data analysis and scientific publication;
• Ability to work in a team, good English communication and management skills.

Advantageous:

• Programming and network analyses experience;
• Driver´s licence.