Three-year position at the Technical University of Munich to expand the toolkit of single cell analysis for uncultivated microeukaryotes.

In support of our new team, starting December 2019/January 2020, we are looking for a

Postdoctoral researcher for our ‘Microbial Systems’ research group

This postdoctoral project will be part of the newly founded DFG Emmy-Neother Junior Research Group “Ecology and Evolution of dark matter fungi in aquatic biofilms”. The aim of the research is to understand the fundamental ecology and evolution of the largely enigmatic group of aquatic fungi. By combining microdissection, high-throughput culturing, and molecular based long read sequencing, we will uncover how and which fungal interactions with which microbial members impact overall microbial community structure and function. We will also generate extensive fungal reference data that will serve as a key resource to build a robust early fungal phylogeny and to discuss early fungal evolution based on phylogenomics and fungal interactions. Within this larger framework the postdoctoral project aims to i) to setup a new single-cell based automated workflow for microeukaryotes using a laser dissection based microscopy, ii) to generate new taxonomic and genomic resources coupled to morphometric and ecological data to investigate the aquatic origin of early fungal evolution, and iii) to improve our understanding on the ecology and diversity of aquatic fungi in aquatic system.

About us

The Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering at the Technical University of Munich is engaged in research activities that are centred around sustainable, energy-efficient urban water and wastewater systems, energy recovery from wastewater and anaerobic technologies, storm water treatment and management, microbial systems, engineered natural treatment systems, advanced water treatment, water recycling, food-energy-water nexus, and state-of-the-art chemical analysis for process control and water quality. The Chair maintains a physico-chemical laboratory, a microbiology laboratory and a trace organic chemical laboratory. Core facilities with shared equipment support all of the TUMs scientific faculties.  For further information, please visit our website at www.sww.bgu.tum.de

About the location

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is one of Europe’s top universities. It is committed to excellence in research and teaching, interdisciplinary education and the active promotion of promising young scientists. Munich itself is one of the top five ranked cities in the world; it has a rich and diverse culture ranging from local traditions to an international flair, supported by an excellent public transport system. Moreover, it is blessed with beautiful surroundings and the neighbouring Alps that allow a multitude of recreational activities.

Qualifications

Applicants should demonstrate the following qualifications.

• Highly motivated to independently explore new microorganism and hidden microbial relationships
• Experience with microscopy and high-throughput sequencing
• Knowledge in aquatic microbial ecology, mycology, and bioinformatics
• Very good written and oral communication skills in English
• Doctoral degree in Microbiology, Mycology, Biology, or related natural sciences.

Tasks

While becoming a member of our research team, your responsibilities will consist of

• Planning and setup of an automated microscopy based single cell workflow
• Implementation of third generation sequencing of DNA and RNA barcodes and genomes
• Development of high throughput cultivation and single cell based assays
• Support of undergraduate and graduate students
• Writing of publications for international peer-reviewed journals
• Close collaboration and communication with partners from Germany, Sweden, Japan, and the US
• Representation of research activities at national and international conferences

We offer

• Exciting research and work environment in an international, multidisciplinary, and dedicated team
• Excellent laboratory equipment and cutting edge molecular tools for single cell analysis
• Professional training courses by TUM and teaching options
• Remuneration in accordance with the TV-L public-sector grade 13 (75-100%) contract for an initial limitation to a duration of three years

TUM has been pursuing the strategic goal of substantially increasing the diversity of its staff. As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, TUM explicitly encourages applications from women, including those who were on parental leave, as well as from all others who would bring additional diversity dimensions to the university’s research and teaching strategies. Preference will be given to disabled candidates with essentially the same qualifications. International candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Please send your application including a letter of motivation, a CV (excluding any photographs), and contact information of two references via E-mail and the subject “DMF” to Dr. Christian Wurzbacher (c.wurzbacher@tum.de).