DFG-funded research project: “Testing the black queen hypothesis in communities of soil-living bacteria”

The Department of Ecology at the School of Biology/Chemistry is seeking to appoint two Research Assistants to commence work at the earliest possible date.This is a temporary, three-year position.

Your Duties:
• Participate in the DFG-funded research project: “Testing the black queen hypothesis in communities of soil-living bacteria”
• Perform large-scale coculture experiments to test hypotheses regarding the ecology and evolution of metabolic cross-feeding interactions in soil microbial communities
• Use state-of-the-art microscopic techniques and microfluidic devices
• Characterize and analyze the exo-metabolome of bacterial cells using LC/MS/MS
• Generate and characterize bacterial mutants
• Handle and analyze large data sets (16S rRNA, genome sequences, statistics)
• Work together with other group members and collaboration partners (e.g. metabolic modelling, population dynamics models, individual-based models)
• Opportunity to work towards a PhD

Requirements:
• Completed degree (M.Sc.) in biology or a related field
• Practical experience in microbiological techniques and molecular biological methods
• Excellent command in written and spoken English
• Strong motivation and curiosity
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team
• Structured and independent way of working

Additional Qualifications:
• An excellent university degree
• Creative way of working
• Sound knowledge of ecological and evolutionary theory
• Practical experience in the application of microscopic techniques (microfluidics, FISH-labelling)
• Practical experience in the generation, analysis, and handling of large data sets (16S rRNA sequencing, whole genome sequencing)
• In-depth knowledge of quantitative methods (qPCR) and tools of statistical analysis
• Ability to develop and analyze theoretical models (metabolic modelling, population dynamics, individual-based models) is an asset
• Scientific publication(s) in peer-reviewed international journal(s)

We offer:
• An exciting and highly topical research project
• Collaboration in an interdisciplinary and international research team
• Participation in the excellent graduate education programs at the University of Osnabrück (ZePrOS, EvoCell graduate school)
• Use of the state-of-the-art research infrastructure at the School of Biology/ Chemistry (e.g. CellNanOs)
• Live and work in the vibrant city of Osnabrück

Osnabrück University is a certified family-friendly university and is committed to helping working/studying parents balance their family and working lives.

Osnabrück University seeks to guarantee equality of opportunity for women and men and strives to correct any gender imbalance in its schools and departments.

If two candidates are equally qualified, preference will be given to the candidate with disability status.

Please submit your application (including a letter of motivation, CV, publication list, copies of certificates, as well as names and contact details of 3 referees) to arrive by September 9, 2020 as one PDF file via email (Code: “ÜBH” to the Dean of the School of Biology/ Chemistry (Email: [Email Address Removed]). We are very much looking forward to receiving your application.

For further information regarding this vacancy, please contact Prof. Dr. Christian Kost (email: [Email Address Removed], homepage: www.kostlab.com).