Job description

We are looking for highly motivated candidates to join the newly established Collaborative Research Centre “Carbon Sequestration at ? 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. 

You will be working on the sub-project ACID (B7) of the Collaborative Research Centre and investigate how environmental conditions at interfaces affect enzyme activity. Interfaces at cell/particle surfaces (biofilms/transparent exopolymer particles, TEP) are a hotspot for glycan degradation as bacteria, enzymes and substrates are concentrated there. However, living microbes at these interfaces generate steep gradients of carbon dioxide, oxygen, pH and reactive oxygen species at the scale of micrometers, which can fluctuate considerably. The central hypothesis of B7 ACID is that these abiotic chemical fluctuations influence the degradation and sequestration of glycan-associated carbon. 

Supervised by Dr. Christina Roggatz, you will be a member of the Dynamic Ecological Chemistry group (Faculty 2 Biology & Chemistry) and analyse the dynamic physico-chemical conditions at biotic interfaces, investigate their effects on enzyme-glycan reactions using various biochemical and analytical methods, and translate the results from the test tube into temporally and spatially relevant dynamics at the ecosystem level by modelling. The results will provide insights on how environmental fluctuations affect glycan turnover. In this project, you will also work closely with other doctoral students within the interdisciplinary CRC network on overarching questions regarding the abiotic parameters in their systems and sub-projects.

Your responsibilities:

• Cultivation and set-up of experiments with microalgae-bacteria biofilms and TEP communities
• Microsensor-based measurements of pH and oxygen profiles
• Enzyme activity tests in multi-dimensional stressor experiments
• Spectrophotometric and NMR-based analysis of enzymatic glycan degradation
• Detailed evaluation, verification and statistical analysis of measurement data and parameters, as well as numerical description of enzyme activity profiles
• Establishment and verification of a numerical model for the prediction of enzyme activities under different laboratory and field conditions
• Supporting the working group in studying overarching questions and for day-to-day laboratory work
• Writing scientific manuscripts for publication in internationally renowned journals
• Presentation of results and scientific exchange at conferences
• The position offers the opportunity for further academic qualification

Requirements

• Completed scientific university degree (Master's/University Diploma) in biology, biochemistry, environmental sciences or another related discipline at the time of recruitment. 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.
• Solid theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of biochemistry, biogeochemistry and microbiology, as well as basic knowledge in analytical chemistry
• Experience with experimental determination of abiotic parameters and the design and execution of experiments with microalgae and enzymes
• Good knowledge in statistical data analysis (R or Python)
• Very good written and spoken English skills (certified C1 level or equivalent) as well as good communication and writing skills 

Desirable:

• Experience with numerical modelling and coding in Python or R
• Strong interest in basic research related to marine bio(geo)chemistry and glycobiology
• High motivation and ability to actively contribute within an interdisciplinary research and training environment and to contribute to a multidisciplinary research team
• Ability to work independently with team spirit, helpfulness and reliability

General Information

We offer

• 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 holiday per calendar year
• A diverse, future-orientated 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 counselling services
• Active company health management, including the option of discounts at local sports clubs, gyms and swimming pools (EGYM WELLPASS)
• The option of using a job ticket for public transportation
• 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.

All partner institutions in the CRC pursue a strategy of diversity. 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 and for questions about the content of the advertised position, please contact Dr. Christina Roggatz/ croggatzprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de.

Please send your application including a CV, copies of degree certificates and transcripts, and a Statement of Interest (2 pages maximum) detailing why you are interested specifically in the proposed research topic and outlining your skills and experience that fit the post, alongside the contact details of two referees, quoting the reference number A199-25 until 15.08.2025 as a one compiled PDF file by unencrypted electronic mail to bewerbung-a19925protect me ?!marumprotect me ?!.de

or by mail to:

University of Bremen, BIOM
AG Dynamic Ecological Chemistry
Dr. Christina Roggatz
James-Watt-Str. 1
28359 Bremen

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.