Postdoctoral Researcher - Microbiomes in agricultural biogas reactors: Germany

scientist - microbiologist (m/f/d) (project AMMOFIT)

The Institutes of Biodiversity and of Farm Economics at the Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, in Braunschweig is seeking with a starting date of August 1, 2020, for a period till July 31, 2023 a

scientist– microbiologist (m/f/d)

with expertise in analysing microbiomes, for research in the project AMMOFIT  - New microbiological concentrates for biogas production from highly N-enriched substrates; Subproject – Evolution and dynamics of microbiomes.

The Thünen Institute is a German research institution linked to the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The Institute pursues research for safeguarding and sustainably using natural resources and providing results for political decision-making. The Institute of Biodiversity investigates biological processes in agro-ecosystems. The position is within the working group "Microbiology and Molecular Ecology” headed by Prof. Christoph Tebbe.

The AMMOFIT project is a cooperation of the Thünen Institute with the University of Applied Science and Art (HAWK) in Göttingen, Germany. The efficiency of agricultural biogas production of organic waste is low in presence of high nitrogen loads. The objective of this project is to select and optimize this process by taking advantage of ammonium tolerant microbial communities and optimize their incubation conditions. The implications of different incubation conditions and adaptation strategies on the structural and functional diversity of the evolving microbiomes will be analyzed by cultivation-independent, nucleic acid-based technologies utilizing experimental biogas reactors.
The position includes the following tasks:

• Extraction of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) from samples collected from biogas reactors and enrichment cultures for the analyses of microbiomes utilizing quantitative (RT-)PCR and high throughput DNA sequencing
• Preparation of PCR products for high-throughput DNA sequencing
• Characterization of the structural and functional diversity of microbial communities from biogas reactors and enrichment cultures utilizing bioinformatic analyses
• Application of multivariate statistical tools and network analyses to reveal potential patterns of interactions and their most important modulating factors
• Preparation of reports and presentations of own research results at internal and external meetings as well as national and international conferences
• Preparation of manuscripts for publication of own research results in peer-reviewed international journals

Required qualifications:

• A PhD or equivalent in Biology or similar disciplines demonstrating the capacity to successfully conduct research, as also documented by publications in peer-reviewed international scientific journals
• Excellent knowledge in one of the following fields: Microbial ecology, agricultural biotechnology, bioinformatics, population biology, omics-technologies
• Great interest in molecular ecology and evolution
• Excellent knowledge in utilizing bioinformatic methods for the analyses of DNA-sequences
• Knowledge of statistical data analysis using R
• Independent working ability, high organizational talent, strong cooperation capacity
• Very good communication skills
• Very good knowledge of spoken and written English

We offer the opportunity to work in an active and stimulating research environment on socially highly relevant issues at the interface between science and practice, and to make use of contacts with national research institutions. Because the professional and personal development of our employees is important to us, we offer a family-friendly work environment, flexible working time models and comprehensive offers of professional training and further education.
The employment is governed by the Wage Agreement for Public Services (TVöD-Bund). The payment of remuneration is carried out according to tariff-category 13 TVöD. A part time position is also possible.

The Thünen Institute promotes the professional equality of women and men and is thus especially interested in applications from women.
Severely disabled applicants with equal qualification will be given particular consideration. Only a minimum physical aptitude is expected from them.
Please contact Prof. Dr. Christoph Tebbe (Biodiversity, phone 0531 596-2553) for enquiries about the position. The interviews for this position are expected to take place between the May 18^th and 20^th, 2020. Please note that, owing the current situation with the Corona virus, the interviews may exclusively be conducted via Internet (e.g. Skype), but, if no official restrictions apply, selected candidates are welcome to visit the Institute and meet with its employers.
Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, addresses of two personal references and copies of relevant certificates. Electronic submission is preferred. All application material must be compiled in one single pdf-document and submitted with reference „20-072-BD“ not later than 10.05.2020 to

bd@thuenen.de

Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut
Institut für Biodiversität
Herrn Prof. Dr. Jens Dauber
Bundesallee 65, 38116 Braunschweig

Germany