The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for research into the geosphere. With around 1,650 employees, we develop a sound understanding of systems and processes of the solid Earth as well as strategies and options for action to counter global change, understand natural hazards and sustainably secure energy and raw material requirements.
Postdoc (f_m_x) Microbiology, ERC Project Archean Park
Reference Number 9871
The ERC Synergy project ‘Archean Park’ aims to find insights into life under primitive conditions and previously unknown metabolic pathways that enabled microorganisms to live on the primordial Earth 4,000 to 2,500 million years ago. In addition to the GFZ, the University of Münster (microbiology), the MARUM - Centre for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen (organic geochemistry) and the University of Duisburg-Essen (bioinformatics) are involved in this project. The GFZ is mainly responsible for carrying out the research drillings in Germany and abroad, the biogeochemical characterisation of the samples and the cultivation and enrichment of microorganisms under high CO2 concentrations
The advertised project is in the field of biogeochemistry. In addition, the post holder will support the project manager in the planning and realisation of the research drillings. The samples obtained will be characterised biogeochemically. Based on these data, the conditions for the microbiological cultivations will then be determined. In addition, turnover and incorporation rate measurements with stable and radioisotopes will be carried out in order to decipher metabolic pathways.
Your responsibilities:
- Active participation in sampling, sometimes lasting several weeks, at home and abroad
- Collection of microbiological and molecular biological samples from drill cores or deep boreholes
- Cultivation and isolation of anaerobic microorganisms from environmental samples
- Extraction of DNA and RNA from environmental samples and bioinformatic analysis of sequence data
- Writing scientific publications in the relevant journals
- Active interaction with the project partners
Your qualifications:
- Master's degree or equivalent and PhD in microbiology/molecular biology
- Experience in sampling, enrichment and solubilisation of microorganisms from environmental samples, preferably under high CO2 concentrations
- Knowledge of molecular biology and bioinformatics
- Knowledge of fluorescence microscopy
- Good written and spoken English
- Willingness to spend several weeks in the field at home and abroad
What we offer:
- Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
- State-of-the-art equipment
- Public service benefits
- Extensive training opportunities
- Professional career advice offered by our in-house Career-Centre
- Flexible working hours and conditions
- Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work
- Institute day-care centre on site
- Working at the Albert Einstein science park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
- Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus
Fixed-term: 36 months
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.
Working hours: Full-time (currently 39 h/week); The position is generally suitable for part-time work.
Place of work: Potsdam
Have we piqued your interest?
Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. The GFZ actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. Anyone who has been recognised as severely disabled, will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX. If you have any questions, please contact our Representative Body for Employees with Disabilities at sbv[at]gfz-potsdam.de, who will be happy to assist you in the further application process. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer at gba[at]gfz-potsdam.de.
Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations.
