Photosymbioses between heterotrophic host and phototrophic endosymbionts have played central roles in the radiation of complex life and are critical to global nutrient cycles. Yet, global change is pushing these symbioses and the ecosystems they support to the brink of ecological collapse.

Join us to unravel the fundamental mechanisms underlying the establishment, maintenance, and breakdown of photosymbioses.

We are seeking a curiosity-driven postdoctoral researcher to join the newly established Photosymbiosis Focus Group at the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB). You will combine state-of-the-art OMICS approaches, cell biology, and advanced imaging to dissect the cellular signaling and regulatory networks that control photosymbiosis between cnidarian hosts and their microalgal symbionts.

The Project - PhagoPhoRe

This position is embedded in the ERC-funded project PhagoPhoRe, which aims to decode the cellular and molecular language of photosymbiotic interactions. By focusing on the interplay of symbiotic nutrient cycling and host phagosome maturation, PhagoPhoRe aims to unravel:

How host cells recognize beneficial algal symbionts
How mutualistic metabolic interactions are (de)stabilized
How algal symbionts evade host immune responses

By combining transcriptomics, immunohistochemistry, advanced imaging, and physiological assays across, we aim to elucidate the fundamental processes underlying the evolutionary success and ongoing ecological collapse of photosymbioses. To achieve this, PhagoPhoRe builds on a large network of collaborators across the HIFMB, Germany, France, Czech Republic, and Switzerland.

Your Tasks

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will play a central intellectual role in shaping experiments, generating and analyzing high-dimensional data, and integrating single-cell insights with complementary datasets produced within the project.

You will:

Design and execute single-cell and/or spatial transcriptomic experiments
Integrate transcriptomic data with imaging and physiological datasets
Contribute actively to conceptual development and manuscript writing
Mentor students and engage in collaborative lab projects
Present your work at international conferences

This is a position is ideal for someone who wants ownership, visibility, and scientific freedom.

Your Profile

PhD in molecular biology, bioinformatics, marine biology, or a related field
Strong skills in R and/or Python and custom data analysis workflows
Good English knowledge (approximately equivalent toCEFR level B1+B2)

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

Hands-on experience with single-cell or spatial transcriptomics
Experience with tissue dissociation, FACS, immunohistochemistry, or microscopy
Interest in host–microbe interactions and symbiosis

We are looking for curiosity-driven candidates interested in combining laboratory and bioinformatic workflows.

Further Information

Contact in day-to-day work : with up to 5 people
Communication : almost equal share (internal/external)
in the following ways
By telephone: almost never (only in very rare cases)
E-mail: frequently (daily or several times a week)
Video conferencing (e.g., Webex): frequently (daily or several times a week)
Personal contact in presence: frequently (daily or several times a week)
Movement around the workplace: regularly within the building (e.g., between departments or floors)
Business trips: rather infrequent (once or twice a year)
Expeditions : do not occur

Please note that the general conditions listed serve as a guide and may vary depending on the specific area of application.

For further information on the specific position, please reach out to Dr Nils Rädecker ( ; ).

If you have any general questions about the application process, our Recruiting team will be glad to support you – please contact Elisabeth Wildt ( , ).

Inthis overview you will find further contact persons for various matters.

This is a full-time position, limited to 3 years. It is also suitable for part-time employment. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level13 . The place of employment will beOldenburg .

All postdocs will register with AWI's postdoc officePROCEED and thus gain access to a set of tailor-made career development tools.

The AWI is characterized by

our scientific success - excellent research
collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
an international environment – everyday contact with people from all over the world
health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
support services and a culture of reconciling work and family

AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, disabilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities.

Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.

AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways. As a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in.Our Family Office and International Office will be glad to support you , even before you start at AWI.

We look forward to your application!

Please submit your application online onlybyApril 1 st , 2026 .We kindly ask you to apply in English. No photo is required – we value your qualifications and experience.

To apply, please submit:

A cover letter (max. 2 pages) in English addressing:
Your motivation to join the Photosymbiosis Focus Group
Your previous research experience
Your qualifications relevant for this position
Contact details of two academic referees

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HIFMB

Jobs:

Postdoc in "Decoding cellular signaling in Photosymbiosis"

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