PostDoc position: Ecology and evolution of plasmids in polar waters – Deadline 02 December 2025

Our group has extensive background in software development and marine microbial ecology, and is an expert of ‘omics data types and strategies. We recently developed machine learning tools to recover plasmids from metagenomic assemblies and characterized their ecology and evolution in the human gut (link). The primary purpose of this project is to transfer our knowhow to study plasmids in marine systems, characterize their diversity and biogeography, and gain computational insights into their contribution to microbial metabolism and their role in microbial responses to environmental change.

We are looking for a motivated colleague who is inspired by microbial evolution and metabolism, excited to work intensely with a group of international scientists with high standards, and will benefit from an experience at the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB), a young institution with diverse research programs located in Northern Germany with access to tremendous amount of expertise in marine microbiology through Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Sea (ICBM) at the University of Oldenburg, and Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology.
This is purely computational work, but we are open to the incumbent pursuing wet-lab translations for further experimentation, which our group is very keen on (e.g., link).

• Create workflows to recover plasmids from marine metagenomes, and organize them into plasmid systems
• Compare plasmid genomes to those that are well-studied from marine systems and other biomes
• Identify auxiliary metabolic genes in plasmids and compare them to metabolic potential found in bacterial and archaeal chromosomes

• PhD in microbiology, microbial ecology, bioinformatics, or other relevant fields
• Track record of scientific productivity through publications in international journals

• Comprehensive understanding of plasmids and/or other mobile genetic elements, microbial evolution, and microbial ecology
• Experience with state-of-the-art ‘omics data types and strategies
• Fluency in the UNIX terminal environment and working with large and complex datasets
• Commitment to open science principles and practices
• A strong desire to ‘give something back’ to society and the research community
• Very good English knowledge (approximately equivalent to CEFR level C1)

• Contact in day-to-day work: Collaboration mainly with up to 5 people
• Communication: predominantly internal (with colleagues and other departments)
  in the following ways

1. By telephone: frequently (daily or several times a week)
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: rarely (mainly in the same room)
• 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 Prof Dr Murat Eren (meren@hifmb.de).

This is a full-time position, limited to 3 years. 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.