Area of research:
Scientific / postdoctoral posts
Job description: Postdoc for marine molecular chronobiology (d/f/m)
Background
The position will be localized in the BICLOPS group, which investigates “Biological Clocks in Pelagic Systems”. Affiliated with the “Marine Chronobiology” working group, it is part of the AWI section “Polar Biological Oceanography”, which uses a wide spectrum of physiological and genetic analyses to understand biological processes in the open ocean.
The focus of the advertised position is on the mechanistic understanding of the circadian clock system in a North Atlantic key zooplankton species, the copepod Calanus finmarchicus. Like countless other pelagic organisms, the copepods perform diel vertical migrations that directly determine the environmental cycles they encounter. As environmental cycles synchronize clocks and clocks affect migration behavior, this creates a chicken-and-egg paradox. We want to find out how circadian clocks can function in such “self-made” pelagic environments.
Your Tasks
* Analysis of the functional interactions of Calanus circadian clock components, including the use of cell culture assays
* Development of a microinjection protocol for subsequent applications of functional genetic tools, such as CRISPR-based target mutagenesis, as well as a genotyping protocol to identify generated mutants
* Initial characterization of Calanus animals with alterations in core circadian clock function
* Supervision of students and participation in teaching activities
Your Profile
* PhD in either molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics or related areas
* Experience with cell culture work
* Experience with molecular work (e.g. cloning, sequence analysis, gene editing)
* Motivation to familiarize yourself with a new topic (zooplankton chronobiology)
* Ability to work in a team
* Good English knowledge (approximately equivalent to CEFR level B1+B2)
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
* Experience in chronobiology
* Experience with non-model organisms
* Experience with in situ stainings (FISH, immunohistochemistry, HCR)
* Experience with physiological and/or behavioral analysis
* Experience with marine biological field work and/or eDNA
Further Information
The AWI is characterized by
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
* Flexible working hours
* Health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
* Support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
* Occupational pension provision (VBL)
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, physical abilities, 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 and has received several awards as a result of this commitment. And 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.
This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.
Company
The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 47.500 people on staff in 18 national Research Centers and an annual budget of more than 6 billion euros, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research, in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action.
The profile of the Helmholtz Association
The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the program-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.
Moreover, Helmholtz specializes in large-scale research infrastructures – from accelerator facilities, earth observation satellites, research ships to supercomputers. They form the basis for scientific advances in tackling global societal challenges. Managing national research infrastructure is part of the Helmholtz Association's mission.
Promoting young academics
Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.
The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centers provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we established Career Development Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz Centers. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Investigator Group, for example. As an Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field and acquire management skills.
Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy: and Helmholtz Distinguished Professorship – Funding for the recruitment of leading international female scientists (W3) .
The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organize their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to provide leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.
All of this combined makes the 18 Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association a highly attractive environment for talented researchers from all over the world.
Company info
Telephone
0049-30-206329-0
Location
Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
Berlin
Berlin
10178
Germany