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The Viral Ecology and Omics Group aims to study the role of viruses in the Microverse.
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Image: Sybille Huck

Postdoctoral Researcher experimental
“Microverse-scale Viral and Microbial Ecology”

For the official job advertisement, click here.External link

Your responsibilities:

  • Plan, design, and conduct microbiological and eco/evolutionary experiments to study the interactions between microbes and viruses in microbiomes.
  • Study how microbiome functioning and dynamics are affected by viruses.
  • Investigate the underlying mechanisms, with an emphasis on virus-host interactions.
  • Use molecular biology experiments to test specific hypotheses, contribute experimental evidence to unravel the mechanisms shaping the Microverse.
  • Communicate and discuss your predictions with computational group members.
  • Report your findings in publications and presentation at international scientific platforms.
  • Support PhD students, Master students and undergraduate project students.
  • Collaborate proactively with experimental and computational researchers in the Microverse.

Your profile:

  • A PhD in microbiology, virology, microbial ecology, or related discipline.
  • Specialist knowledge and hands-on expertise in standard microbiological techniques. Direct experience with viromics, microcosms, experimental evolution, or laboratory automation is required. Your personal specific expertise will be of benefit.
  • The work is not bound to a specific biome, so hands-on experience with multiple ecosystems is advantageous.
  • Track record of planning, performing, and publishing original research.
  • Track record of supervision and training of students or junior researchers.
  • Enthusiasm and talent for interdisciplinary research, communication skills, ability to work in a team and to interact with people from diverse nationalities and scientific backgrounds.
  • Strong motivation, excellent organisation skills and ability to contribute to a friendly and collaborative working environment in a cross-disciplinary scientific research group.
  • Fluency in English is required, both written and spoken. Fluency in German is advantageous. Fluency in other languages is a plus.

PhD student bioinformatics
“Mapping the Microverse: Everything is Everywhere?”

For the official job advertisement, click here.External link

Your responsibilities:

  • In conjunction with your advisor, design and perform analyses to address our questions.
  • Analyse your results in the context of literature and public (meta-) ‘omics data.
  • Take initiative to communicate and discuss your results with wet- and dry-lab group members.
  • Report your findings in publications and presentation at international scientific platforms.
  • Support Master students and undergraduate project students.

Your profile:

  • A MSc in bioinformatics, microbial ecology, or related discipline.
  • Specialist knowledge and hands-on expertise in metagenomics, viromics, community modelling, or metabolic modelling.
  • Strong motivation, excellent organisation skills and ability to contribute to a friendly and collaborative working environment in a cross-disciplinary scientific research group.
  • Excellent communication in English is required, both written and spoken. Fluency in German and other languages is advantageous.


PhD student experimental 
“Mapping the Microverse: Everything is Everywhere?”

For the official job advertisement, click here.External link

Your responsibilities:

  • In conjunction with your advisor, design and perform experiments to address our questions.
  • Analyse your results in the context of literature and public (meta-) ‘omics data.
  • Take initiative to communicate and discuss your results with wet- and dry-lab group members.
  • Report your findings in publications and presentation at international scientific platforms.
  • Support Master students and undergraduate project students.

Your profile:

  • A MSc in microbiology, viral/microbial ecology, or related discipline.
  • Specialist knowledge and hands-on expertise in microbial ecology, cultivating complex communities from nature. Direct experience with metagenomics, viromics, microcosms, experimental evolution, or laboratory automation is advantageous.
  • Strong motivation, excellent organisation skills and ability to contribute to a friendly and collaborative working environment in a cross-disciplinary scientific research group.
  • Excellent communication in English is required, both written and spoken. Fluency in German and other languages is advantageous.



The Microverse Cluster

The VEO Group is embedded in the Microverse Cluster, which ensures inspiring collaborations with scientists whose expertise spans diverse biomes. The Cluster of Excellence "Balance of the Microverse" in Jena combines expertise in life, material, optical, and computational sciences to elevate microbiome studies from descriptive to hypothesis-driven and functional analyses. Our core mission is to elucidate fundamental principles of the interactions and functions in microbial communities in diverse habitats ranging from oceans and groundwater to plant and human hosts. We aim to identify the shared characteristics of disturbed or polluted ecosystems as well as infectious diseases on the microbiome level, and develop strategies for their remediation by means of targeted interventions. Our full spectrum of expertise in the physical and life sciences will be leveraged to address these important issues in natural habitats as well as synthetic arenas in a collaborative manner. You find open job vacancies at the Microverse Cluster here.External link

Working in the VEO group

If you are interested in joining the VEO Group, please send us an open application letter plus CV. Please mention in your letter that you are responding to the call on our website, highlight your relevant background, and mention which of our projects/research lines you are mainly interested in. We're particularly looking for people with the following profile:

  • An MSc or PhD degree specialising in microbial/viral ecology or microbiome analysis.
  • Hands-on experience with relevant high-throughput techniques involving microcosms, experimental evolution, advanced microbiology/molecular biology techniques, mining metagenomics/viromics/metabolomics data, theoretical/mathematical modelling.
  • Track record of planning/performing/publishing original research that aligns with the VEO Group (see our Publications and Research Profile).
  • Ability to contribute to a friendly and collaborative working environment in a cross-disciplinary, international scientific research group, experience with teaching, supervision, or training of students or junior researchers.
  • Excellent communication in English is required, both written and spoken. Fluency in German and other languages is advantageous.

Jena University

Friedrich Schiller University is a traditional university with a strong research profile rooted in the heart of Germany. As a university covering all disciplines, it offers a wide range of subjects. Its research is focused on the areas Light—Life—Liberty. It is closely networked with non-research institutions, research companies and renowned cultural institutions. With around 18,000 students and more than 8,600 employees, the university plays a major role in shaping Jena's character as a cosmopolitan and future-oriented city. You find open job vacancies at the Friedrich Schiller University here.