GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is a foundation of public law jointly financed by the Federal Republic of Germany (90 %) and the state of Schleswig-Holstein (10 %) and is one of the internationally leading institutions in the field of marine sciences. Currently GEOMAR disposes over an annual budget of approx. 80 million Euro and has approx. 1000 employees.

GEOMAR Research Unit Marine Natural Products Chemistry / GEOMAR Centre for Marine Biotechnology is offering a 2-year post-doctoral position for a Marine Natural Product Chemist, starting on 1st July 2022.

Job Description

We are seeking a skilled and motivated post-doctoral researcher with demonstrated expertise in (marine) natural product chemistry. The responsibilities of the candidate will include sample collection, extraction, metabolomics/dereplication of extracts (mainly by LC-MS/MS-based molecular networks), followed by activity-guided isolation and structure elucidation of their bioactive molecules by modern analytical and computational methods.

Current research foci of our group spans from chemical ecology to drug discovery on marine organisms e.g., invertebrates, seagrasses, seaweeds and their associated microbiota, marine metabolomics and natural metallophores, in particular siderophores. The successful candidate will be involved in various projects in these directions, with an emphasis on ecological functions of marine natural products. Assistance in collection of marine biomass, supervision/training of postgraduate and undergraduate students, maintenance of analytical equipment, participation in teaching will be expected. The occupant will interact and collaborate with a broad range of scientific disciplines.

What we offer:

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is a world-wide leading institute in marine research bridging basic and applied sciences. The research unit Marine Natural Product Chemistry offers an excellent infrastructure (see below), a highly vibrant, international and innovative research environment, collaborative work culture, access to international cruises and interactions/collaborations with eminent scientists, creating an ideal framework for a successful academic career. As a family-friendly employer, GEOMAR is also offering benefits such as support with childcare (holiday programmes) and a discounted season ticket for local public transport.

Our labs are equipped with state-of-the-art chemical facilities including in-house UPLC-QTOF-MS coupled with DESI Imaging Mass Spectrometry, HPLC-DAD-MS, HPLC-HRMS, GC-MS, automated extraction systems such as Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) and Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE), FT-IR, polarimeter and related databases, as well as excellent microbiology/biotechnology facilities and over 70 running in vitro biological assays. Our in-house microbial culturing facilities span from small (1 L) to large-scale (300 L fermenter), as well as access to sequencing facilities. GEOMAR has full access to high-resolution (cryo-) NMR facilities at the Chemistry Department of Kiel University. We lead or participate multiple collaborative EU or national research projects.

Working language in the group is English.

Qualifications required:

  • A diploma and a PhD in natural product chemistry, preferably on marine natural products
  • A strong background and hands-on experience in dereplication/metabolomics of natural products by LC-MS/MS (preferably by molecular networks)
  • Competence and hands-on experience in purification of diverse types of natural products (by HPLC and other chromatographic methods)
  • Demonstrated experience and competence in structure elucidation by 1D and 2D NMR, HRMS, other spectroscopic and computational methods
  • Proficiency in use of software and databases (for dereplication) and statistical analysis
  • Demonstrated experience in writing first author-publications, excellent publication track record in scientific journals and conference presentations
  • Fluency in spoken and written English with oral and written communication skills

Terrestrial natural product chemists are also invited to apply, provided that they hold the scientific qualifications mentioned above. A scientific diving license, previous attendance to research cruises and a car driving license are highly desirable. Previous post-doctoral experience in natural product chemistry is welcome.

The position is available for an initial funding period of two years, starting 1st June 2022. The salary depends on qualification and could be up to the class 13 TVöD-Bund of the German tariff for public employees. This is a full-time position and the position can be split. The fixed-term contract shall comply with Section 2 Paragraph 1 of The Act of Academic Fixed-Term Contract (German WissZeitVG).

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel seeks to increase the proportion of female scientists and explicitly encourages qualified female academics to apply.

GEOMAR is an equal opportunity employer and encourages scientists with disabilities to apply. Qualified disabled applicants will receive preference in the application process.

Please send your application in English containing:

1. Your CV and publication list,

2. Contact information for three references,

3. A cover letter explaining interest in the position and career goals,

by e-mail in a single PDF file to the following email address: bewerbung@geomar.de

The deadline for applications is 22nd May 2022.

Please put the keyword “Post-Doc-MNPChem” in the subject line of your e-mail when submitting your application.

As soon as the selection procedure has finished, all application papers will be destroyed according to data protection regulation.

For further information regarding the position and research unit, please contact Prof. Dr. Deniz Tasdemir by e-mail (dtasdemir@geomar.de) and/or visit our website.

Please do not contact us by phone about the present state of procedures. However, we will answer all your questions if you send us an e-mail to bewerbung@geomar.de. In doing so, please refer to the keyword.

GEOMAR is a member of the Helmholtz Association and the German Marine Research Consortium (KDM). For further information please visit www.geomar.de or www.helmholtz.de.

Further information can be found here.

via GEOMAR
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