Doctoral Student

The Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology (IGB) and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) under the umbrella of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e. V. are both members of the Leibniz Association.

“Research for the future of our freshwaters” is the mission of the IGB. It is Germany’s largest and one of the leading international research centers for freshwaters and seeks to understand the fundamental processes governing freshwaters and their biotic communities. The IGB’s research findings help to tackle global environmental changes and to develop measures for sustainable water management. The IGB is a diverse and inspiring place to work and conduct research. It promotes individual development at every career level and stands for lively exchange and cooperation.

The Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) in the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., a part of the Leibniz Association, aims to understand and, where possible, ‘improve’ the adaptive capacity of wild animals to cope with global change. To this end, it focuses on the diversity of lifestyles, diseases and mechanisms of evolutionary adaptation of mammals and birds, on the limits of these mechanisms in natural and anthropogenically influenced environments, and on conservation strategies that take these into account. The Institute fulfils this mission through long-term, application-oriented, interdisciplinary basic research in evolutionary ecology, ecological dynamics, evolutionary genetics, wildlife diseases, reproductive biology and reproductive management.

The departments Experimental Limnology (IGB) and Wildlife Diseases (IZW) invite applications for the position of a

Doctoral/PhD student (65%)

to obtain Doctorate

IGB, IZW, (Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie) ATB, Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Topenmedizien (BNITM), Leibniz-Institut DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ), (Forschungszentrum Borstel, Leibniz Lungenzentrum) FZB and Leibniz-Institut für Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie - Hans-Knöll-Institut (HKI) are members of the Leibniz Research Alliance “INFECTIONS” (https://leibnizinfections.de/). The aim of this research alliance is to establish a culture of interdisciplinary research and communication across disciplines in order to develop new strategies and methods for early warning systems, improve outbreak management and optimize containment of the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pathogens. The research is based on the One Health approach taking into account the interaction of humans, animals and the environment. All research is conducted as collaborative projects between several partner institutes.

The research project is part of the Leibniz Alliance Project Infections, which investigates the diversity and transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We are facing a near future in which antibiotic treatment to control bacterial and fungal infections will no longer be possible, throwing us back to the pre-penicillin era. In order to prevent this from happening, it is essential to understand the environmental AMR and identify methods for remediation. The candidate will assess the risk of human contact with AMR through environmental water by leveraging our accumulated data from INFECTIONS in the previous funding period and performing bioinformatics comparison with sequences of clinical isolates in our collections. Analyses will be extended to fungal pathogens, including mobile genetic elements. Future water collection will comprise waste water sampled in partner countries where antibiotics/antifungals are used in agriculture. The phage content of the samples (phageome, genomes of the phage population) will be determined to identify candidate phages to test in wastewater remediation pilot laboratory experiments.

Responsibilities include:

• Collection and characterization of water samples in urban and rural environments for new samples obtained in this phase of the projects
• Preparation of DNA and RNA from water and sediments
• Preparation of high-throughput sequencing libraries
• Bioinformatic sequence analysis
• Determination of physical, chemical and biological environmental variables
• Statistical analysis of the generated data

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in biology or microbiology
• Preference will be given to individuals with experience in molecular biology, especially high-throughput sequencing and/or bioinformatic analysis
• Experience in field sampling
• Good command of English and German, spoken and written
• Basic experience with statistics and R is an advantage
• Knowledge of programming languages such as Python and writing computer scripts is advantageous

Our offer:

• An interesting and responsible position with room for manoeuvre in an international and dynamic scientific working environment, in a beautiful location right next to the Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde and next to the Lake Mueggelsee in Berlin-Friedrichshagen.
• place of work are
• State-of-the-art laboratories at all partner institutes.
• A comprehensive induction programme and a well-functioning team that will be happy to support you.
• Integration into the structured doctoral programs of the IGB and IZW.
• Travel and research stays in the other institutes of the Research Network Infections.
• Biannual meetings with all lecturers and students of Infections.
• Working on an equal footing between all those involved and respectful co-operation within the team.
• A part-time job of 25,35 hours per week in flexitime with part-time option.
• A salary in accordance with the public collective bargaining law TVöD (Bund) with an annual bonus payment. Depending on qualifications, experience and the tasks assigned, you will be graded up to pay group E13.
• Enrolment at the Universität Potsdam or at the Freie Universität Berlin
• Company pension scheme (VBL) and subsidised capital-forming benefits (VWL).
• Flexible working hours and possibility of mobile working for a good work-life balance.
• 30 days holiday per calendar year for a 5-day week.
• Excellent connectivity with public transport.
• Employer subsidy for the annual public transport ‘job ticket’.
• Free admission to the Tierpark (current agreement between Leibniz-IZW and Tierpark Berlin) from Monday to Friday.

The position will be filled as soon as possible (preferably as of 01/09/2025) and is limited to 3 years during the project period.

We welcome applications regardless of gender, origin, sexual orientation and religion. Disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in case of equal suitability. The IZW lives the principles enshrined by the German “Charta of Diversity” (Charta der Vielfalt), has a diversity and inclusion strategy, is "Total-E-Quality" certified, promotes equality and actively supports a work-life balance. We promote diversity, so please convince us with your quality and competence.

Enquiries or questions should be directed to the Head of Department Wildlife Diseases (IZW) Prof. Alex Greenwood (he) by email (greenwood@izw-berlin.de) and Research Group Leader Aquatic Microbial Ecology (Dept. Plankton and Microbial Ecology (IGB)) Prof. Hans-Peter Grossart (he) by email (hgrossart@igb-berlin.de).

Are you interested:

Then please apply by 20 July 2025 and submit your complete and informative application, which includes: 1) a letter of motivation highlighting particular skills for this position (maximum 1 page), 2) a CV (maximum 3 pages), 3) copies of relevant degrees, 4) a list of publications and 5) the feedback (or alternatively the names and contact details) of two referees, 6) without photo via our recruitment platform at https://www.izw-berlin.de/en/job-offers

Do not submit applications via LinkedIn. Use our recruitment platform only

We look forward to receiving your application!