Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/div) in Microbiome Research

Job Advertisement HKI-53/2024 The Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) investigates the pathobiology of human-pathogenic fungi and identifies targets for the development of novel natural product-based antibiotics. The research group Microbiome Dynamics invites talented and highly gifted candidates to apply as Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/div) in Microbiome Research for three years initially The Microbiome Dynamics (MBD) department contributes to the development of personalized microbiome-based strategies to aid in the detection, monitoring, treatment, and prevention of human diseases (e.g., Ni et al., Cell Metabolism, 2023; Leung et al., Science Translational Medicine, 2022; Seelbinder et al., Nature Communications, 2023). MBD is currently coordinating the EU-funded consortium MiCCrobioTAckle ( the BMBF-funded consortium PerMICCion ( and is an active participant in the EU-funded consortia FOODGUARD and NUTRIMMUNE, the Cluster of Excellence "Balance of the Microverse” ( and the CRC/Transregio 124 "Pathogenic Fungi and Their Human Host: Networks of Interaction” ( funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the consortium SynThera funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. We are looking for an excellent and enthusiastic postdoc scientist in the fields of metagenomics and/or big data to map the human gut microbiota-diet interactome. The aim of the project is to apply metagenomic-based bioinformatic approaches and AI to designing computational roadmaps that can scale to mechanistically link thousands of small dietary molecules with unknown biotransformation routes and hundreds of bacteria through their bacterial genes and assemble the first database of microbiome interactions with metabolism of dietary components. In this project, you will contribute to our vision of taking personalized nutrition truly to a micro level of precision. The candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to several national and international research projects focused on the role of the microbiome in globally significant diseases. Together with renowned scientists and supported by an excellent infrastructure, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a healthier and fairer society. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility. Your profile:

• Doctoral degree in systems biology, computational biology, bioinformatics, computer science, or a related discipline
• A strong interest in conducting collaborative research on the topic outlined above is paramount
• Candidates are expected to be interested in working at the boundaries of several research domains
• Expertise in the analysis of metagenomics and biological high-throughput data
• Knowledge of statistical methods in the context of biological systems
• Proficiency with programming (Python, Perl, C++, R)
• Well-developed collaborative skills

We offer:

• The successful candidate will be hosted in the Department of Microbiome Dynamics of Prof. Dr. Gianni Panagiotou of the Leibniz-HKI in an international, dynamic team and an "open-door” atmosphere with access to state-of-the-art computational resources.
• The Leibniz-HKI provides an international and multi-disciplinary environment with strong expertise in the proposed research field. The group consists of approximately 15 members at different levels of seniority.

Salary is paid according to German TV-L (salary agreement for public service employees). As an equal opportunity employer, the Leibniz-HKI is committed to increasing the percentage of female scientists and, therefore, especially encourages them to apply. Applications: Leibniz-HKI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. It aims to increase the proportion of underrepresented groups in case of equal suitability. All qualified persons, regardless of color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other classification protected by law will receive consideration for employment. Complete applications in English should include a cover letter, a CV containing a complete list of publications, a brief statement of research experiences, a certificate of study / transcript of records, and the addresses of two possible referees and should be submitted via the Leibniz-HKI online application system . The deadline for the advertisement is January 31, 2025 , but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Further information: Prof. Dr. Gianni Panagiotou | +49 3641 532-1759 | carrer@hki-jena.de Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 23 | 07745 Jena