GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is a foundation of public law jointly financed by the Federal Republic of Germany (90 %) and the state of Schleswig-Holstein (10 %) and is one of the internationally leading institutions in the field of marine sciences. Currently GEOMAR disposes over an annual budget of approx. 75 million Euro and has approx. 1000 employees.
The Research Unit Marine Natural Product Chemistry / GEOMAR Centre for Marine Biotechnology at GEOMAR is offering a position for a Post-doctoral Researcher in Metabolomics starting as soon as possible.

Job Description
Metabolomics has become an indispensable tool in natural product drug discovery for dereplication, chemical profiling and biological activity assessments of small molecules. Comparative metabolomics is a powerful technique in chemical ecology for analysing the impact of fluctuations in marine habitats. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced candidate with demonstrated expertise in LC-MS-based metabolomics coupled with intensive statistical analysis of natural products found in marine macro- and microorganisms. The holder of this post will use LC-MS/MS based secondary metabolomics methodologies (mostly untargeted comparative metabolomics) in the fields of marine natural product drug discovery and marine chemical ecology. Previous post-doctoral experience in metabolomics tools and statistical analyses is highly desired. The holder of the post will interact across a broad range of scientific disciplines with other research groups at GEOMAR, Kiel University and external collaborators. The successful candidate will be involved in equipment maintenance, method development/validation, supervision of post- and undergraduate students and third-party funding applications. Candidates with strong track records of accomplishment in terrestrial plant, terrestrial microbe secondary metabolomics are highly encouraged to apply, provided they have sufficient skills and experience. The research unit Marine Natural Product Chemistry is equipped with state-of-the-art chemical facilities including UPLC-QTOF-MS-coupled with DESI Imaging Mass Spectrometry, HPLC-DAD-MS, HPLC-HRMS, GC-MS, accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) system, FT-IR, polarimeter and related databases, as well as microbiology/biotechnology facilities and over 50 in vitro biological assays. GEOMAR has full access to high-resolution (cryo-) NMR facilities at the Chemistry Department of Kiel University. We are members of several excellence clusters, such as The Future Ocean, and several EU research consortia. We offer highly international, and research-driven environment with excellent research infrastructure and networks.

Qualifications 

• A diploma and a PhD on LC-MS based metabolomics of natural products or a related field
• High competence and preferably several years of post-doctoral expertise in hands-on LC-MS-based metabolomics
• Proficiency in bioinformatics, databases and MS platforms, big data management
• High competence in in depth statistical analyses (PCA/MVA and more) and cheminformatics
• Demonstrated experience in writing publications, conference papers and research proposals
• Fluency in spoken and written English and excellent oral and written communication skills
• Planning and organisational skills, prioritisation of multiple tasks, meeting strict deadlines Demonstrated project and laboratory management skills in multiple tasks
• Independency, creative- and critical thinking, self-motivation and curiosity.

Hands-on experience on molecular networking, imaging mass spectrometry and metabolomics of multiple classes of secondary metabolites is highly advantageous. Some experience in downstream chemical work (natural product fractionation, isolation by chromatography and structure elucidation by NMR, MS), and previous exposure to NMR- and/or GC-MS-based metabolomics are desired.

The position is available for a funding period of two years, starting as soon as possible. The salary depends on qualification and could be up to the class E13 TVöD-Bund of the German tariff for public employees. This is a full-time position. The position cannot be split, but flexible work models are possible. The fixed-term contract shall comply with Section 2 Paragraph 1 of The Act of Academic Fixed-Term Contract (German WissZeitVG).