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 seeking an experienced post-doctoral researcher as LC-MS Analytical Chemist, The 2-year position will start on 1st July 2022.
Job Description:
Analytical chemistry is the backbone of natural product research. We are seeking a motivated and experienced post-doctoral candidate with demonstrated expertise in hyphenated analytical techniques on (marine) natural products. The main task of the post holder will be LC-MS/MS-based metabolome mining/chemical profiling employing algorithm/bioinformatic approaches (MS/MS fragment similarity based molecular networking) and coupling them with other omics datasets (e.g., lipidomics, metallomics, peptidomics, genomics, metagenomics, etc). The successful candidate will develop and apply the latest LC-MS/MS tools in drug discovery and chemical ecology projects on marine macro- and micro-organisms and their small molecule natural products. The candidate will also perform spatial metabolomics using the in-house Desorption Electrospray Ionization-Imaging Mass Spectrometer (DESI-IMS). He/she will closely interact with other research groups from a broad range of scientific disciplines. The holder of the post will be involved in maintenance of the UPLC-MS/DESI-IMS equipment, establishment of new analytical methods and training/supervision of undergraduate/postgraduate students and technical staff.
What we offer:
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is a leading institute in marine research world-wide. The research unit Marine Natural Product Chemistry offers a vibrant, highly international and research-driven environment with excellent research infrastructure and networks (see below), a collaborative work culture, access to international cruises and collaborations, acting as a perfect incubator for a successful academic career. As a family-friendly employer, GEOMAR offers benefits such as support with childcare (holiday programs) 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 LC-MS/MS-based analytical natural product chemistry or a related field
- Demonstrated competence and hands-on skills in LC-MS/MS metabolome mining of natural products (by molecular networks)
- Proficiency in bio-/cheminformatics for linking different -omics datasets
- Proficiency in use of public and commercial databases (for dereplication), statistical analysis and big data management
- 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
Candidates with strong track records of accomplishment in terrestrial plant or microbe related analytical chemistry/secondary metabolome mining are highly encouraged to apply, provided they have the required hands-on skills and experience. Previous work with microbial natural products and imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is highly desirable. Additional experience in GC-MS, purification (HPLC) and chemical characterization of diverse types of natural products by high field NMR, HRMS, is highly advantageous.
The position is available for a funding period of two years, starting 1st July 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:
- Your CV and publication list,
- Contact information for three references,
- A cover letter explaining interest in the position and career goals,
by e-mail in a single PDF file to the GEOMAR recruitment office: bewerbung@geomar.de
The deadline for applications is 22nd May 2022.
Please put the keyword “Post-Doc-LC-MS” 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.