Postdoctoral Researcher Position in the Field of Parasitic Interactions among Bacteria

studies the fundamental principles underlying microbial community interactions and functions in diverse habitats, ranging from oceans and groundwater to plants and human hosts. We integrate insights across ecological and medical fields to enhance our understanding of microbial balance from the molecular to the ecosystem level. We develop tools and detection technologies to shape microbiome dynamics for environmental and human health benefits. The affiliated early career program of the Jena School for Microbial Communication offers an ambitious, structured and interdisciplinary post-graduate training based on top-level fundamental research.

The research group of Prof. Kirsten Küsel at the Cluster of Excellence “Balance of the Microverse” invites applications for a

Postdoctoral Researcher Position in the Field of Parasitic Interactions among Bacteria

at the earliest possible date. We offer a full-time position (100%, 40 hours per week) at the University of Jena, offered as a fixed-term position for 2 years.

Background

Bacteria of the Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR) represent more than 25% of the total bacterial diversity on Earth. However, knowledge about their life styles and metabolic properties is still scarce due to lack of cultured representatives. Limited de novo biosynthesis capabilities point to a host-dependent life style of CPR. This project aims to characterize physiological, metabolic and molecular features of a recently cultivated parasitic member of the CPR with its host, obtained from groundwater. We will use multi omics approaches and cryo-TEM to study mechanisms of cell-cell recognition, attachment, and the parasites strategies to exploit the host cells cellular resources. We further aim to identify molecular traits underlying host specificity. As our new Postdoc in this field, you will support and advance ongoing cultivation efforts with challenging CPR parasite-host systems and gain insight into the mechanisms of their interaction.

Your responsibilities:

Maintenance of the host-parasite system and characterization of growth and infection dynamics in incubation experiments

Close collaboration with working groups using metabolomics, Raman-based cell sorting, and microscopic imaging including cryo-TEM

Metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics data analysis

Work in an interdisciplinary team of microbial ecologists and integrate into the Cluster of Excellence consortium

Contribute to the development of the project, as it evolves

Analyse project results, generate figures for publications, and write scientific manuscripts for publication

Present your results at local, national, and international meetings and conferences

Assist with training and supervising other researchers (e.g. doctoral candidates, MSc students)

Contribute to the friendly, welcoming, and collaborative environment in our team

Your profile:

A PhD (or equivalent) in microbiology or closely related disciplines. Candidates in the final stages of obtaining their PhD are encouraged to apply

Excellent background in microbial ecology, documented by publications in peer-reviewed journals

Desirable methodological skills: Experience in microbiological cultivation techniques, microscopic techniques, and general methods of molecular microbial ecology, NGS and multi omics analysis

A high level of curiosity, self-motivation, enthusiasm and attention to detail

A cooperative personality actively seeking to contribute to our interdisciplinary and inclusive Microverse community

Very good written and spoken English communication skills