Scientist in coastal microbial ecology (f/m/d)

Area of research:

Laborkräfte

Job description: Scientist in coastal microbial ecology (f/m/d)

Background
Coastal systems are vital to human survival and prosperity. Presently, 40% of the world’s population lives within 100 km of the coast, a proportion that is predicted to increase considerably in the next decades. Coastal systems are some of the most productive marine ecosystems worldwide, providing a variety of ecosystem services. At the same time, they are highly threatened, as they are subject to a plethora of increasing anthropogenic uses.
As a result of human activities, coastal systems are subjected to simultaneous changes in temperature, acidity, nutrients, salinity, and other factors. These environmental changes will likely alter interactions between organisms, with cascading effects for ecosystem functioning. For instance, microbes play a crucial role in the decomposition of organic matter and the cycling of nutrients. Microbes are also linked to different trophic levels by being parasites and pathogens for a number of organisms. While these antagonistic interactions among microbes and between microbes and coastal organisms are likely to be affected by environmental change, they remain poorly studied in the marine environment.

Your Tasks

• Initiate new research in aquatic microbial ecology using in-situ observations or laboratory experiments with questions relating to the influence of environmental changes on antagonistic interactions
• Take part in interdisciplinary research collaborations, both within the section Shelf Sea System Ecology, with other researchers at the Department of Biology, and with national and international partners
• Engage in applications for external funding
• Participate in the further development of the Microbial Ecology working group and the section Shelf Sea System Ecology

Your Profile

• Completed PhD degree with a focus on microbial ecology or a related field
• Skills in experimental work on different scales
• Isolation and cultivation techniques
• Bioinformatic skills (Metagenomics, Transcriptomics)
• Interdisciplinarity and team spirit
• Postdoc experience
• Ability to initiate new projects
• Demonstrated ability to attract external funding
• Leadership experience/skills

Further Information
The AWI is characterized by

• our scientific success – excellent research
• collaboration and cooperation – intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
• opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
• an international environment – everyday contact with people from all over the world
• flexible working hours
• health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
• support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
• occupational pension provision (VBL)

AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, physical abilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities.

Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.

We strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the advertised position at AWI to reduce the underrepresentation of women.

AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways and has received several awards as a result of this commitment. And as a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our Family Office and International Office will be glad to support you, even before you start at AWI.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organisation.

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