Post-doctoral researcher (m/f/d) in Marine Natural Product Chemistry

Deadline: 8th April 2024

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. GEOMAR Research Unit Marine Natural Products Chemistry / GEOMAR Centre for Marine Biotechnology is seeking an experienced

Post-doctoral researcher (m/f/d) in Marine Natural Product Chemistry

starting at the earliest date possible.

Job Description:

The main research interest of Tasdemir lab is the discovery and characterization of ecologically and pharmacologically active small molecule marine natural products (MaNaPros). Current research foci span from chemical ecology to drug discovery on marine microorganisms and macroorganisms (e.g., invertebrates, seagrasses, seaweeds), marine metabolomics and metallophores, particularly siderophores. We are seeking a skilled and motivated post-doctoral researcher who will contribute to high impact projects in these directions. The candidate must have demonstrated expertise in (computational) metabolomics and marine natural product chemistry (including marine microbial natural product chemistry).

Tasks:

The responsibilities of the candidate will include sample collection/fermentation; extraction; computational metabolomics/dereplication of extracts (mainly by LC-MS/MS-based molecular networks) followed by fractionation; LC-MS and bioactivity-guided isolation; and structure elucidation. The candidate will supervise/train students and maintain analytical equipment. He/she will cooperate with large collaborative groups from wide range of scientific disciplines.

Qualifications:

• A diploma and a PhD in marine natural product chemistry
• Hands-on experience and a strong understanding of metabolomics/dereplication of natural products by LC-MS/MS (preferably by molecular networks)
• Solid experience in purification of natural products (by HPLC and other chromatographic methods)
• High 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
• Experience in writing first author-publications, high publication track record in scientific journals and conference presentations
• Excellent communication skills in English (both spoken and written).

Advantageous skills:

• Marine microbiology, bioinformatics (e.g., microbiome, biosynthetic gene clusters)
• A scientific diving license
• A full car driving license
• Previous attendance to research cruises

At a workplace, directly on the Kiel Fjord with many leisure and recreational opportunities, we offer you:

• Good conditions for work-life balance: We offer, among other things, the possibility of mobile working and individual working time arrangements, vacation courses for the children of our employees, and good support in finding a place in a day-care center at the Kiel site
• Support services for professional and personal life situations
• An exciting work environment with the opportunity to provide important impetus for the development of sustainable solutions
• Exciting topics in an international environment
• Work in the field of marine and climate research, a forward-looking area with social significance
• 30 vacation days + additional time off at Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
• Company pension plan and capital-forming benefits

The research unit Marine Natural Products Chemistry offers a dynamic, international and innovative research environment with excellent infrastructure and networks, a collaborative work culture and is therefore an ideal incubator for a successful career. 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 75 running in vitro biological assays. Our inhouse 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 Kiel University. We lead or participate multiple collaborative EU or national research projects.

Working language in the group is English.

The position is available for a funding period of three years, starting at the earliest date possible. 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. The fixedterm contract shall comply with Section 2 Paragraph 1 of The Act of Academic Fixed-Term Contract (German WissZeitVG).

Please submit your application in English no later than 8th April 2024 using the following link:

https://bewerbung.geomar.de/P000100538/en

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. 

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 ([email protected]).

We will answer all your questions if you send us an e-mail to [email protected]. In doing so, please refer to the keyword “MaNaProChem-PD”. 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.