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.
We are looking for a microbial ecologist specialized in studying antagonistic interactions within microbial communities or between microbes (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses) and pelagic or benthic coastal organisms and how these interactions are influenced by climate change. You should have demonstrated ability to conduct internationally competitive research in areas including but not limited to bacterial ecology, bacteria-viral interactions, environmental microbiology, host-microbe interactions, and microbial evolution.
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
For any questions you may have, you are very welcome to get in touch with PD Dr. Cédric Meunier (Cedric.Meunier@awi.de;
+49(4725)819-3143).
This is a full-time position. It is initially limited to 3 years, and, pending positive evaluation of the candidate, may be converted to a permanent position. 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 14. The place of employment will be Helgoland.
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.
We look forward to your application!
Please submit your application by January 26th 2025, exclusively online.
Reference number:Â 24/201/G/Bio-tt
Find out more information about this opportunity here.