Job Advertisement HKI-Cluster of Excellence "Balance of the Microverse”

The Cluster of Excellence "Balance of the Microverse” studies the fundamental principles underlying microbial community interactions and functions in diverse habitats, ranging from oceans and groundwater to plants and human hosts. We integrate insights across ecological and medical fields to enhance our understanding of microbial balance from the molecular to the ecosystem level. We develop tools and detection technologies to shape microbiome dynamics for environmental and human health benefits. The affiliated early career program of the Jena School for Microbial Communication offers an ambitious, structured and interdisciplinary post-graduate training based on top-level fundamental research.

Postdoctoral Researcher in Natural Product Research (m/f/div)

commencing on January 1, 2026 or upon agreement. We offer a full-time position (100%, 40 hours per week, fixed-term position for 2 years) at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Leibniz-HKI, Jena.

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to investigate molecular modification strategies in natural products, with a particular emphasis on lipopeptides in ecologically relevant settings such as predator–prey and host–pathogen interactions. The project combines state-of-the-art chemical biology, experimental microbiology, and molecular biology with advanced analytical and bioinformatic approaches to characterize natural products, their modifications, and the responsible enzymes. Functional studies will be conducted both in vitro and in vivo, employing techniques including HPLC MS, NMR spectroscopy, and imaging. The successful candidate will contribute to mapping the diversity of natural product modifications across microbial communities and host–microbe interfaces. This position offers a unique opportunity to uncover novel principles of microbial interactions and to advance our understanding of ecological and biochemical signalling networks.

Your responsibilities:

• Conduct microbiological and molecular biological experiments; isolate, identify, and characterize natural products; investigate their chemical modifications as well as biological and ecological functions

• Work independently towards your postdoctoral research project

• Analyse project results, generate figures for publications, and write scientific manuscripts for publication • Present your results at local, national, and international meetings and conferences

• Work closely together with other experimental and computational researchers in the research group and within the Cluster

• Assist with training and supervising other researchers (e.g. doctoral candidates, MSc students)

• Contribute to the friendly, welcoming, and collaborative environment in our team

Your profile:

• A PhD in chemistry / chemical biology / pharmaceutical sciences or closely related disciplines. Candidates in the final stages of obtaining their PhD are encouraged to apply

• Experience with HPLC, MS, NMR, and other analytical tools as well as bioinformatics • A high level of curiosity, self-motivation, enthusiasm and attention to detail

• A cooperative personality actively seeking to contribute to our interdisciplinary and inclusive Microverse community

• Very good written and spoken English communication skills Are you unsure because you don't meet one or some of our requirements? Please do not hesitate to apply and give us a chance to get to know you.

We offer:

• A highly communicative atmosphere within an energetic and interdisciplinary scientific network

• The Jena School for Microbial Communication offers a structured and interdisciplinary training program based on top-level fundamental research and provides comprehensive mentoring programs and soft skills courses for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers

• Jena – City of Science, a young and lively city with a vibrant local cultural agenda

• A dedicated management team, providing support and information on non-scientific subjects, such as onboarding and family life, and organizing individualized career development programs, and events on topics like diversity and collaboration

• Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) at salary scale E13 — depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications—, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement

  The 2-year postdoctoral researcher position (TV-L E13, 100%) is funded through the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments. The employment contract will be with the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Leibniz-HKI, Jena. Part-time employment can be discussed. To promote gender equality in science, applications by women are particularly welcome. Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability. Are you eager to join us? Then apply by October 20, 2025 using our online portal.