Research Assistant (Doctoral Researcher) (f/m/d)

Organisation/Company University of Bremen Department Faculty 2 Biology / Chemistry Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 19 Mar 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Country Germany Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Part-time Hours Per Week 25,48 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number A024-26 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The University of Bremen - Faculty 2 - (Biology/Chemistry) is offering a fixed-term position as soon as possible for a

Research Assistant (Doctoral Researcher) (f/m/d)
Salary Scale TV-L 13
with 65% of the regular weekly working hours (25.48 hours/week) for a fixed term of 36 months (according to § 2 (2) WissZeitVG).

Job Description

We are looking for highly motivated candidates for the research project “Phytoplankton microbiomes: A trait for adaptation and poleward range shifts?”, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). This project combines the expertise of the University of Bremen, the Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, and GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research.

In the different Southern Ocean (SO) regions, phytoplankton encounter distinct environmental regimes, requiring effective adaptation mechanisms. We hypothesize the functional differentiation and adaptation of phytoplankton microbiomes to be an important driver enabling ecotypic differentiation of diatoms in SO regions. Therefore, we aim to characterize phytoplankton trait-based abilities from a microbiome perspective and explore the microbiome’s functional potential to foster coping strategies and adaptation of phytoplankton to challenging Antarctic conditions.

By combining laboratory experiments mimicking Antarctic environmental regimes to monitor the joint response of the phytoplankton host and its microbiome and analyzing Antarctic field samples, you will investigate how microbiome bacteria contribute to phytoplankton fitness. You will cultivate microalgae, and analyze the microbiome community dynamics via (single-host-cell) amplicon sequencing, analyze the functional repertoire of the microbiome via metagenomic sequencing and metagenome-assembled-genome (MAG) construction, and decipher the phytoplankton host’s response through RNA sequencing.

Your project will be under the direction of Prof. Tilmann Harder (Marine Chemistry) and is related to a microbiological PostDoc project (Dr. Jakob Giesler). You will have the opportunity to work on your PhD in a small research group and will be supported by the Research Academy at MARUM. You will also be able to collaborate with national and international research partners.

Your responsibilities

• Cultivation of marine microalgae and bacteria
• Conducting controlled growth experiments under laboratory conditions
• Preparation and analysis of molecular samples for amplicon sequencing, metagenomic sequencing, and RNA sequencing
• Molecular analysis of field samples (single cells and bulk DNA/RNA)
• Scientific publishing
• The position offers the opportunity for academic qualification

The position offers the opportunity to obtain an academic qualification.

Requirements

• Completed scientific university degree (Master's/University Diploma) in (marine) biology, microbiology or a related field. Applicants who are in the final phase of their Master's degree will also be considered. Please note that submission of the Master's degree certificate is mandatory for employment.
• Experience in analyzing microbial metagenomic data
• Solid coding knowledge (e.g., R, bash)
• Great basic research interest in microbial ecology, phytoplankton ecology, and polar microbiology
• High motivation and above-average qualification to work actively in an interdisciplinary research and education environment
• Independent working style with hands‑on mentality, team spirit, helpfulness, and reliability

General Information

Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching, the University of Bremen has retained its character as a place of short distances for people and ideas since its founding in 1971. With a broad spectrum of subjects, we combine exceptional performance and innovative potential. As an ambitious research university, we stand for research‑based learning approaches and a pronounced interdisciplinary orientation. We actively pursue scientific cooperation in a spirit of global partnership.

Today, around 23,000 people learn, teach, research, and work on our international campus. In research and teaching, administration and operations, we are strongly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice, and climate neutrality. Our Bremen spirit is expressed in the courage to try new things, in supportive cooperation, in respect and appreciation for each other. With our study and research profile and as part of the European YUFE network, we assume social responsibility in the region, in Europe, and in the world.

The university is family‑friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international university. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

As the University of Bremen intends to increase the proportion of female employees in science, women are particularly encouraged to apply. In the case of equal qualifications, women are given priority, unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor prevail.

Disabled applicants will be given priority if their professional and personal qualifications are essentially the same.

For general questions about the personnel selection procedure, please contact Prof. Dr. Tilmann Harder / / . For questions about the content of the advertised position, please contact Dr. Jakob Giesler /

Please send your application, including a cover letter, CV, copies of degree certificates, as well as a statement of your research interests, scientific background in relation to the position, and the contact details of two referees, quoting the reference number A024-26 until March 19th.2026 as a single PDF file by unencrypted electronic mail to:

Please note that no photos are to be attached to the application documents.

We kindly ask you to send us only copies (no portfolios) of your application documents, as we cannot return them. They will be destroyed after the selection process has been completed. Any application costs cannot be reimbursed.