Job description

A PhD position is available within the Emmy Noether Research Group "Microbial-Carbohydrate Interactions," funded by the German Research Foundation. The research group's focus is on the "Phenotyping of bacterial microbiomes to identify physiological capacities and quantify heterotrophy in situ." The group aims to redefine how we analyze microbial heterotrophy by using novel culture-independent approaches to study the phenotypes of microorganisms.

The group will investigate how different microbiomes break down complex polysaccharides, using both microbiological and glycobiological research methods. The group will determine how individual microorganisms use different bacterial foraging mechanisms to process polysaccharides and how this affects the availability of substrates for the broader microbial community. Additionally, the research group aims to quantify microbial activity in situ by using culture-independent approaches to identify how individual community members influence carbon turnover in their environment.

Project Description

The PhD position involves novel culture-independent approaches to study the phenotypes of microorganisms in environmental samples and complex systems. The metabolic potential of microorganisms and microbiomes will be investigated using fluorescence-labeled polysaccharides in combination with microbiological and glycobiological techniques, addressing the following questions:

• What mechanisms do individual heterotrophs use to degrade polysaccharides?
• Can we quantify the individual activity rates of heterotrophs?
• Under what conditions are selfish bacteria most active?
• How do different foraging behaviors affect the turnover of organic substances in the oceans?

You will have the opportunity to work on your PhD thesis in a small research group, supported by the university's doctoral programs, and collaborate with international research partners.

Your Responsibilities:

• Conduct research within the scope of the project's dissertation topics
• Support the research group in general project tasks
• Participate in teaching microbiology, molecular ecology, marine biology, or a related field (3 SWS)

Requirements

• Completed academic degree (Master's/University Diploma) in microbiology, molecular ecology, marine biology, or a related field
• Experience with basic microbiological techniques, microbial media preparation, cultivation, DNA extraction, PCR
• Experience with glycobiological techniques, HPLC or TLC
• Experience in bioinformatics
• Willingness to collaborate in an interdisciplinary and international research team
• Fluent English skills, both written and spoken
• Fluent German skills, both written and spoken

Desirable:

• Programming experience in R
• Experience with marine ecosystems

General Information

Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching, the University of Bremen has maintained its character as a place of short paths for people and ideas since its founding 50 years ago. With a broad range of disciplines, we combine exceptional performance with great innovation potential. As an ambitious research university, we stand for the approach of research-based learning and a strong orientation towards interdisciplinarity. We actively and collaboratively shape scientific cooperation worldwide.

Today, around 23,000 people study, teach, research, and work on our international campus. In research and teaching, administration, and operations, we are strongly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice, and climate neutrality. Our Bremen Spirit is expressed in the courage to explore new paths, in supportive collaboration, and in mutual respect and appreciation. With our study and research profile and as part of the European YUFE network, we assume social responsibility in the region, in Europe, and worldwide.

The University of Bremen is family-friendly and diverse and considers itself an international university. We, therefore, welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation, and identity.

Since the University of Bremen aims to increase the proportion of female science employees, women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Disabled applicants will be given priority if their professional and personal qualifications are essentially the same.

For substantive questions, please contact: Dr. Greta Reintjes, reintjesprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de.

Please send your application, including the usual documents (CV and certificates) and a short cover letter detailing your motivation and experience in the desired fields, by  23.09.2024 as a single PDF file via unencrypted e-mail, quoting the reference number A272-24, to Dr. Greta Reintjes, reintjesprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.deor by post to:

University of Bremen
Microbial-Carbohydrate Interactions Group
James Watt Street 1
Attn: Dr. Greta Reintjes
28334 Bremen, Germany

We kindly ask you to send us only copies (no portfolios) of your application documents as we cannot return them. They will be destroyed after the selection process has been completed. Any application costs cannot be reimbursed.