The Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) is part of the Forschungsverbund Berlin (FVB) and the German Leibniz Association. IGB and its partners in the Berlin-Brandenburg Institute for Advanced Biodiversity Research have formed a consortium to implement a major new interdisciplinary research initiative funded by the Federal Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF; http://www.bbib.org/bridging-in-biodiversity-science.html). Within the work package "Aquatic-terrestrial coupling", we offer a: Postdoc Position in Molecular Ecology and Bioinformatics Background: The overall project aims to bridge disciplines, scales and systems in biodiversity research and to provide a proof-of-principle for the bridging approach. The work package on aquatic-terrestrial coupling uses surveys, field experiments in kettle holes and a large mesocosm experiment in IGB's LakeLab (www.lake-lab.de<http://www.lake-lab.de>) to establish relationships between land-use characteristics and effects of terrestrial carbon subsidies on plankton biodiversity and processes. Tasks: A molecular ecological approach will be used to assess a broad range of biodiversity components in kettle holes and mesocosm experiments. The specific tasks include (1) molecular studies of plankton and sediment microbes (algae, metazoans, bacteria, archaea, fungi and protists) using metabarcoding and/or metagenomics; (2) elaboration of protocols to analyse free environmental DNA (eDNA); (3) participation in field surveys and experiments to explore effects of land use and terrestrial subsidies on aquatic biodiversity and microbial processes. Field data will be collected in close collaboration with other members of the team. Requirements: We are seeking to recruit a dedicated postdoc with demonstrated expertise in molecular ecology and bioinformatics, particularly of large sequence data sets. The ideal candidate has a strong background in molecular biological analyses and bioinformatics. A solid understanding of, and research experience in, aquatic biodiversity, ecology and biogeochemistry will be particularly useful, although these qualifications are not a strict requirement. Working environment: We offer a stimulating research environment within an interdisciplinary collaborative context. Funding of the position is currently available for 3 years. Salary is according to the standard rates of German federal government employees. This includes full fringe benefits. The position is primarily based at IGB's Department of Experimental Limnology located on Lake Stechlin 80 km north of Berlin. However, effective exchange with the project partners requires regular stays in Berlin. The working language is English. Application: Please upload your complete application (CV, motivation letter, statement of research interests, copies of qualification documents, list of published or submitted papers, contact details of 3 references) at http://www.igb-berlin.de/job-offers.html. Review of applications will start immediately and continue until the position has been filled. However, for full consideration applications should be received by 29 February 2016. The preferred starting date is 1 April, but a later start is possible. For informal enquiries, please contact Hans-Peter Grossart (hgross...@igb-berlin.de<mailto:hgross...@igb-berlin.de>) or Mark Gessner (gess...@igb-berlin.de<mailto:gess...@igb-berlin.de>) The IGB and FVB are equal opportunity employers and specifically welcome applications by female scientists. Preference will be given to applicants with disabilities when qualifications are equivalent.
Mark O. Gessner Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) Alte Fischerhuette 2, 16775 Stechlin, Germany Department of Ecology, Berlin Institute of Technology (TU Berlin) Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587 Berlin, Germany Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB) 14195 Berlin, Germany
