Deadline: 4th July 2023

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is a foundation under public law jointly financed by the Federal Republic of Germany (90%) and the State of Schleswig-Holstein (10%). It is one of the internationally leading institutions in the field of marine research.

Through our research and our commitment to the transfer of knowledge and technology, we contribute significantly to the preservation of the function and protection of the ocean for future generations.

In the frame of the BlueHealthTech project MarPiM, funded by the BMBF as part of the WIR! Program, GEOMAR Research Unit Marine Natural Products Chemistry / GEOMAR Centre for Marine Biotechnology is seeking an experienced

Post-doctoral researcher(m/f/d)

in Fungal Natural Product Chemistry / Fungal Biotechnology

starting on 1^st September 2023.

Project Description

BlueHealthTech links competencies in Kiel area in marine research (Blue), health care and industry (Health) to generate novel technological approaches to improve the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of chronic diseases. The program exploits the regionally available technical and analytical knowledge for sustainable development of innovative health technologies (Tech) in new multidisciplinary partnerships.

Marine fungi have high biosynthetic capability for producing novel and bioactive secondary metabolites with pharmaceutical relevance. The main aim of the BlueHealthTech-funded project MarPiM is to assess preclinical efficacy and development potential of marine fungal natural products against skin cancer by using state-of-the-art methods of fungal biotechnology, marine natural product chemistry, multi-omics, bioanalytics and innovative imaging techniques.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled post-doctoral researcher with demonstrated expertise in microbial fermentation and downstream natural product chemistry. The candidate will initially optimize the upscaled fermentation (300 L) of target marine fungi and extract the fungal broth. This will be followed by i) LC-MS/MS-based untargeted metabolomics analysis, ii) mass spectrometry- and bioactivity-guided isolation and iii) structure elucidation of anticancer fungal metabolites. The candidate will work closely with project partners at Kiel University for determination of in vivo efficacy and mechanism of action of the target molecules. The candidate will actively manage the project and expected to write publications/patents/project reports and contribute to assessment of project results for potential development.

This is a unique opportunity for an ambitious post-doctoral researcher to further develop their career on microbial drug discovery and development that can make impact on human life.

Working language in the group is English.

Qualifications required:

• A diploma and a PhD in microbial natural product chemistry, preferably on marine microbes
• 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 natural products (by HPLC and other chromatographic methods)
• Demonstrated competence in structure elucidation of natural products 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 

Previous exposure and experience in large scale microbial fermentation and a car driving license are highly desirable. Experience in working as part of an interdisciplinary team would be helpful. Good writing skills in German are highly welcome.

What we offer:

We provide excellent infrastructure (see below), a highly vibrant, international research environment and collaborative work culture creating an ideal framework for a successful career.

• Workplace directly on the Kiel Fjord with many leisure and recreational opportunities
• Company pension plan and capital-forming benefits
• 30 days holiday + additional time off at Christmas and New Year's Eve
• Support services for professional and personal life situations
• Support with childcare (holiday programmes)
• Discounted season ticket for local public transport

Our labs at Research Unit Marine Natural Products Chemistry 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 75 running in vitro biological assays. Our in-house microbial culturing facilities span from small (1 L) to large-scale (250 L fermenter), as well as access to sequencing facilities. GEOMAR has full access to high-resolution (cryo-) NMR facilities at Kiel University. We lead or participate multiple collaborative EU or national research projects.

The position is funded by the BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research) and available for a funding period of 36 months. 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 basically split.

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 submit your application in English until 4^th July 2023 under the following link

online 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(at)geomar.de) and/or visit our website (https://www.geomar.de/forschen/fb3/fb3-mn/schwerpunkte/).

However, we will answer all your questions if you send us an e-mail to bewerbung(at)geomar.de. In doing so, please refer to the keyword “Postdoc-MarPiM”.

For further information on GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel or the Helmholtz Association, please visit www.geomar.de or www.helmholtz.de.

GEOMAR is committed to an objective and non-discriminatory personnel selection. Our job advertisements address all people. We expressly renounce the submission of application photos.