Job Description

This position is part of the ERC-funded project PhagoPhoRe, which aims to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning the establishment and maintenance of photosymbiosis in marine organisms. You will contribute to a central goal of the project: understanding how host cells recognize, integrate, and regulate photosynthetic symbionts at single-cell resolution. Using advanced transcriptomic and spatial profiling approaches, this research will provide critical insight into how symbiotic interactions are orchestrated at the cellular level and how their breakdown contributes to symbiosis collapse under environmental stress. To pursue these questions, we are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the newly established photosymbiosis focus group at the HIFMB in Oldenburg, Germany.

Your Tasks
The aim of this postdoctoral position is to use genomic tools—particularly single-cell and/or spatial transcriptomics—to dissect the molecular processes governing the establishment, maintenance, and breakdown of photosymbiosis in cnidarian hosts. You will generate and analyze high-resolution transcriptomic data to compare host cells and tissues that harbor either functional algal symbionts or inert plastic beads, under both control and heat stress conditions. This experimental design will allow you to identify symbiosis-specific regulatory cascades, disentangle host responses to symbiont presence versus foreign particles, and pinpoint molecular signatures associated with symbiosis stability and collapse. You will work closely with other team members generating physiological, imaging, and experimental data to integrate findings across cellular, molecular, and functional levels.

Your Profile

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, bioinformatics, systems biology, marine biology, or a related field
• Demonstrated proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g., Python or R)
• Strong organizational skills
• Good English knowledge (approximately equivalent to CEFR level B1+B2)

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Expertise in single-cell sequencing, with a strong background in the generation, processing, and integrative analysis of high-dimensional transcriptomic data
• Demonstrated experience in developing and applying custom bioinformatic pipelines
• Familiarity with molecular and cellular biology techniques, as well as a willingness to work with emerging model systems in photosymbiosis

Further Information

• Contact in day-to-day work: Collaboration mainly with more than 5 people 
• Communication: almost equal share (internal/external)
  in the following ways

1. By telephone: almost never (only in very rare cases) 
2. E-mail: frequently (daily or several times a week)
3. Video conferencing (e. g. Webex): frequently (daily or several times a week)
4. Personal contact in presence: frequently (daily or several times a week)

• Movement around the workplace: regularly within the building (e.g. between departments or floors)
• Business trips: rather infrequent (once or twice a year) 
• Expeditions: do not occur

Please note that the general conditions listed serve as a guide and may vary depending on the specific area of application.

For any questions you may have, you are very welcome to get in touch with Dr Nils Rädecker (nils.raedecker@hifmb.de; +49 (0) 471 4831-2540).

This is a full-time position, limited to 2 years, with the option of extending for another 2 years. It is also suitable for part-time employment. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level 13. The place of employment will be Oldenburg.

All postdocs will register with AWI’s postdoc office PROCEED and thus gain access to a set of tailor-made career development tools.

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.

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.

We look forward to your application!
Please submit your application by October 29^th 2024, exclusively online.
To apply, please submit:

• A cover letter (max. 2 pages) in English addressing:
  • Your motivation to join the photosymbiosis focus group
  • Your previous research experience
  • Your qualifications relevant to this position

• A CV detailing your relevant experience, skillset, and publication record
• Names and contact information for two academic references

Reference number: 25/105/D/Bio-b