Leibniz Institute DSMZ–German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig

The Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH, Braunschweig offers the position for a

The position has a salary level according to TV-L 14 and is initially limited to 2 years with the perspective to become a permanent position. The position is offered as full time (39.8 hours per week).

SILVA is a renowned database that provides comprehensive quality checked ribosomal RNA reference sequence data and accompanying tools. The datasets are used by thousands of researchers worldwide as a basis for their research and publications have been cited over 44,000 times in total.

As the scientific lead of the SILVA database, you will be responsible to guide the development of this scientific resource to align data and services with the scientific user needs. As the responsible scientist, you will ensure that SILVA serves as a solid basis for disciplines such as microbial ecology and diversity research in general. Taxonomically, related resources like LPSN, GTDB and RDP have to be aligned. Together with the technical lead and the DSMZ team of biologists and software developers you will improve the existing structure and develop new features.

Your responsibilities:

• Adapting the SILVA service portfolio to needs in microbial ecology and diversity research
• Development and curation of the SILVA taxonomy with respect to international developments
• Designing workshops and connecting with the expert communities
• Publications & Scientific cooperation

Your profile:

• Ph.D. degree in biology or a related field
• Experience in rRNA related topics
• Accuracy and quality-orientation
• Intrinsic motivation and team-spirit
• Fluent in English / knowledge in German is beneficial
• Proven ability in writing scientific publications
• Willingness to undertake occasional business travel

We offer:

• An interdisciplinary working environment with frequent exchange of experience
• Participation in building a research data infrastructure
• Motivated colleagues and a pleasant working atmosphere in a scientific area
• Further development and support of scientific data services at the DSMZ
• Plenty of room for creativity & challenging topics
• Opportunities for further education and training
• An employer certified according to audit berufundfamilie®, therefore flexible possibilities to combine work and family life

The position is located in Bremen or Braunschweig and requires a substantial amount of on-site work. Mobile office work is possible for up to 3 days per week.

About the DSMZ and new biodata infrastructure DSMZ Digital Diversity:

The Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures establishes an integrated suite of scientific databases of fundamental relevance for life sciences. The databases include BRENDA, SILVA, LPSN, BacDive and TYGS which are developed in a highly coordinated manner. A dedicated team of 22 scientists and software engineers creates a research data infrastructure which will significantly improve the access to curated and standardized biological data. The resulting data platform DSMZ Digital Diversity will provide an integrated resource and will allow to link and comprehensively analyze the different types of scientific data from all domains of life sciences. For more information visit hub.dsmz.de.

The DSMZ is funded by the State of Lower Saxony and the German Federal government and is a member of the Leibniz Association. The DSMZ strives to increase the proportion of female scientists and encourages female candidates to apply. Disabled applicants with identical technical and personal qualifications will be preferentially selected. In the case of degrees obtained abroad, proof of equivalence with a German degree must be enclosed. For further information, please refer to the website of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).

The DSMZ is an equal opportunity employer, supports balanced work-life career development, and holds the certificate of the audit berufundfamilie®.

For further information please contact Lorenz Reimer (lorenz.reimer(at)dsmz.de) or Jan Gerken (jan.gerken(at)dsmz.de). Please send your complete application documents including a CV, motivation letter, summary of PhD thesis, copies of certificates and publication list with application number 01/26 as a single pdf file to bewerbung(at)dsmz.de (max. 10 MB).

Applications are welcome in English or German and will be accepted on a rolling basis so early applicants are encouraged! The deadline for this application is 15.02.2026, but we may continue to review applications until the position is filled.