In the UFZ research unit chemicals in the environment (TB CITE) scientistsaim to promote the understanding of molecular responses to environmentalimpacts that affect environmental and human health. This is known to beaffected by the microbiome-host interaction, which in turn depends strongly onthe phenotype-specific (age, gender, BMI) composition and functionality ofthe microbiome. Thus, we aim to cultivate age and BMI-specific microbiotacultures for analysing the impact of selected xenobiotics. The effects ofchemicals on the functionality of the microbiota will be assessed bymetagenomics, metaproteomics and metabolomics. We will focus on the productionof metabolites that are relevant for the microbiome-host interaction.Furthermore, we will identify the mode of action as well as the capacity ofthe microbiota for the degradation of xenobiotics. In the next step, therelevance of involved genes will be verified by gene specific knockouts in keymicrobes. The work is based on established procedures for continuous anaerobicculturing in bioreactors and longstanding expertise in multi-metaomicsanalysis.

Your tasks:

The successful candidate will cultivate phenotype specific microbiome modelcommunities in batch and continuous cultivation. Then the models will becharacterised with respect to structure and function by 16SrRNA,metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics and metabolomics. Furthermore, thecapacity to metabolise selected xenobiotics will be determined andbioinformatical tools will be used for predicting and identifying thecorresponding enzymes. For validation, the successful candidate will establish methods for gene-specific knockouts in the model communities.

Your profile:• 

M.Sc in biology or biochemistry• Strong background in cultivation on microbial communities• Interest in bioanalytics and bioinformatics• Ability to work independently and motivated to work in aninterdisciplinary team• Excellent English skills in speech and writing

We offer:• 

Top level interdisciplinary research at a research centre which enjoys anexcellent reputation within Germany as well as internationally• Excellent technical facilities• Work in inter-disciplinary and multinational teams• Excellent links to national and international research networks• Support and optimal training courses by our graduate school (HIGRADE)• Remuneration in accordance with the TVöD public-sector pay grade 13