Job Advertisement HKI-27/2025

The Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) investigates the pathobiology of microorganisms and develops novel natural product-based antiinfectives. We are inviting talented and highly motivated candidates to apply as

Microbiologist (m/w/div)

for the joint management of the Leibniz-HKI's culture collection. The position is initially limited to two years.               

The Leibniz-HKI culture collection comprises approximately 62,000 microorganisms (36,000 bacteria and 26,000 fungi) and is closely linked to the Jena Microbial Resource Collection (JMRC) and the National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infections (NRZMyk). The strain collection offers scientific services related to the collection, storage, maintenance and worldwide exchange of microbiological resources (microorganisms, natural products, testing capacities).

The Leibniz-HKI is located at the Beutenberg Campus in the science city of Jena and is a member of the Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse. As the economic center of Thuringia, Jena offers an attractive environment in the middle of Germany with extensive leisure and cultural opportunities as well as professional prospects.

Your contribution:

You play a key role in the maintenance, utilization and further development of our strain collection and its database, which focuses on bacteria, a large proportion of which are assigned to the Actinobacteria. The collection is a member of the World Federation for Culture Collections (WFCC) and the European Culture Collections' Organization (ECCO) and is of major importance for the discovery of new natural products and the development of new assays for drug screening and, increasingly, for microbiome studies. You will have the opportunity to actively advance the research in these areas in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.

What to expect:

  • The focus of your work is the maintenance of the bacterial strain collection at the Leibniz-HKI. You will take responsibility for the integration and publication of isolates, the taxonomic identification of bacteria and the maintenance of the strain database. In addition, you will advise researchers on the selection of strains for their projects and contribute to the characterization of strains.

  • You organize the practical work and carry out some of it yourself. You take responsibility in a cross-functional project team that ensures modern physical and virtual strain management for internal and external projects.

  • You maintain close contacts with all research units of the Leibniz-HKI, the Jena Microbial Resource Collection and the National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infections, as well as with collaborative research projects such as the Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse.

  • You organize a microbiological laboratory efficiently and monitor its daily operations.

  • You are responsible for maintaining high scientific standards and are willing to continuously expand and share your expertise in the areas of bacterial taxonomy and research data management.

  • You communicate with service providers in the industry and organize taxonomic services and method transfers.

  • Active participation in the application and implementation of collaborative research projects

Your profile:

  • An above-average degree in biology with a master's degree

  • PhD degree in microbiology

  • Knowledge of bacterial taxonomy

  • Expertise in modern molecular identification methods

  • Structured and organized way of working with an appreciation of modern, user-friendly research data management

  • Target-oriented communication style and communication skills in both written and spoken German and English

  • Strong team spirit combined with personal initiative

The following are advantageous:

  • In-depth knowledge and practical experience with actinobacteria

  • Experience with microbiological preservation methods, in particular cryopreservation

  • Experience in the development of microbiological assays

  • Affinity for the maintenance, use and further development of the strain database belonging to the collection

  • Willingness to organize and manage the logistics of the international exchange of microorganisms, taking into account relevant legal requirements (e.g. Nagoya Protocol) and the delivery process with regard to infectious agents, genetically modified organisms, customs formalities

  • Experience abroad is desirable, an interest in international networking is a requirement

What we offer:

  • An application-oriented and ambitious field of activity with a high degree of personal responsibility and creative freedom in a research infrastructure with central importance for all research units of the Leibniz-HKI.

  • Participation in a committed and innovation-oriented team with potential for professional development.

  • An excellent laboratory infrastructure.

  • Remuneration according to the collective agreement for public service of the federal states (TV-L, full-time with part-time option) as well as extensive qualification opportunities.

Further information:

Dr. Michael Ramm | +493641 532 1011 | career@leibniz-hki.de

Application:

Leibniz-HKI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. It aims to increase the proportion of underrepresented groups in case of equal suitability. All qualified persons, regardless of color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other classification protected by law will receive consideration for employment.

Complete applications in English should include a cover letter, a CV containing a complete list of publications, a brief statement of research experiences, a certificate of study / transcript of records and letters of reference and should be submitted via the Leibniz-HKI online application system. The deadline for the advertisement is May 26, 2025, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.