Doctoral Researcher (f/m/d) for the Collaborative Research Centre “CONCENTRATE” - Microbiology & carbonsequestration - A194-25

The University of Bremen, MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences - is offering, subject to the approval of funds, a fixed-term position for a

Doctoral Researcher (f/m/d)
Salary Scale 13 TV-L

from 1 October 2025 for a period of 45 months, until 30 June 2029 at the latest (according to § 2 WissZeitVG)
within the Collaborative Research Centre “CONCENTRATE”.

The position is to be filled with 65% of the regular weekly working hours (25.48 hours/week).

Berufsgruppe

Wissenschaft und Forschung

Eingruppierung

EG 13 TV-L

Besetzbar

zum 01.10.2025

Bereich

We are looking for highly motivated candidates to join the newly established Collaborative Research Centre “Carbon Sequestration at Å resolution (CONCENTRATE)”, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). This CRC combines the expertise of the University of Greifswald, the University of Bremen, the Max-Planck-Institute for Marine Microbiology Bremen, the Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces Potsdam, the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research and the Technical University of Berlin.

The aim of CONCENTRATE is to decipher the molecular and microbial processes that lead to the stabilization of glycans in the ocean. In an interdisciplinary approach, the research team combines laboratory experiments with measurements in natural marine habitats. The focus is on the interactions between algae, bacteria, fungi, their glycans and proteins - down to atomic resolution. The elucidation of these microbial and biochemical mechanisms will contribute to a better understanding of carbon fluxes in the oceans.

Within the CRC CONCENTRATE you will work on subproject A03 under the direction of Dr. Greta Reintjes, within an Emmy Noether Junior Research Group “Microbial-Carbohydrate Interactions”. You will investigate the quantitative contribution of the “selfish” mechanism to carbon sequestration. The central working hypothesis is that selfish foraging selectively removes glycans from the collective DOM pool, preventing their degradation by other bacteria and thereby increasing carbon sequestration.

The following hypotheses guide your research:

• The activation and the extent of selfish foraging are influenced by abiotic (e.g. nutrients, pH, temperature) and biotic factors (e.g. competition, cooperation, cell-cell communication).
• Selfish internalization of oligosaccharides leads to incomplete decomposition of glycans.
• Carbon sequestration is increased by selfish activity.

Aufgabengebiet

• Cultivation of marine microorganisms
• Preparative purification of glycans using size exclusion chromatography
• Preparative production of fluorescently labelled polysaccharides
• Microbiological degradation studies of defined glycan fragments
• Acquisition, analysis and presentation of scientific data
• Scientific publishing
• Research as part of a dissertation on the topics of the project
• Supporting the research group with general project tasks
• The position offers the opportunity for academic qualification

Voraussetzungen

• Completed scientific university degree (Master/University diploma) in microbiology, molecular ecology, marine biology or a related field.
• Applicants who are in the final phase of their Master&apos
• s degree will also be considered. Please note that submission of the Master&apos
• s degree certificate is mandatory for employment.
• Experience with basic microbiological techniques, microbial media preparation, cultivation, DNA extraction, PCR
• Experience with glycobiological techniques, HPLC or TLC.
• Willingness to work in an interdisciplinary and international research team and possible research excursions.
• Willingness to collaborate with other Collaborative Research Centers PhD students and scientists.
• Fluency in English.

Desirable:

• Great basic research interest in marine glycochemistry, glycobiology and biogeochemistry
• High motivation and ability to work actively in an interdisciplinary research and education environment
• Independent working style with team spirit, helpfulness and reliability

Kennzeichen

A194-25

Bewerbungsfrist

05.08.2025

Befristet

30.06.2029

Allgemeine Hinweise

We offer you:

• Annual special payment (“Christmas bonus”), regular collectively agreed salary increases and additional public service pension scheme (VBL)
• A crisis-proof, interesting and varied job in a cosmopolitan university
• 30 days of vacation per calendar year
• A diverse, future-oriented and open corporate culture
• Support from a collegial, motivated team with a positive working atmosphere
• Individual induction training
• The opportunity for further education and training
• Compatibility of family and career through flexible working hours (flexitime) and the option of mobile working (subject to the general conditions)
• Free social and family counseling services
• Active company health management, including the option of discounts at local sports clubs or for gyms and swimming pools (EGYM WELLPASS)
• The option of using a job ticket for public transport
• Numerous sports and cultural activities
• Varied catering options in the student union canteens

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.

Bewerbungshinweise

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.

Ansprechperson

For general questions about the personnel selection procedure and for questions about the content of the advertised position, please contact

Dr. Greta Reintjes / +49 421 218 56655 / reintjes@uni-bremen.de.

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 A194-25 until 05.08.2025 as a PDF file by unencrypted electronic mail to: bewerbung-a19425@marum.de or by mail to: