PostDoc in Environmental Microbiology

Post Doc position (m/f/d) in Environmental Microbiology

At the University of Applied Sciences Coburg, a position in the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Health, Institute for Bioanalysis, is available as soon as possible.

The BIOREFOREST project is launching a transformative initiative to optimise reforestation strategies for forests and orchards, placing biodiversity at the heart of planning and decision‑making. We are seeking a motivated Postdoc with expertise in microbial ecology to join our interdisciplinary and international team and contribute to cutting‑edge work at the intersection of ecology, data science, and stakeholder engagement.

In the BIOREFOREST project, your role will focus on assessing the microbial diversity in re‑forested forests and orchards. Using metagenomic approaches and quantitative PCR, you will quantify and characterise the taxonomic diversity of microbial communities and correlate these findings with site‑specific environmental parameters. You will apply multivariate statistical methods and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) to analyse a rich dataset that includes field samples, stakeholder feedback, and questionnaire responses.

These analyses will contribute to understanding how reforestation strategies impact soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. As part of the BIOREFOREST coordination team, organisational skills as well as inter‑disciplinary and international leadership competence are also expected: collaborate with international partners, visit diverse forest and orchard sites across Europe, contribute, organise and participate in scientific conferences and stakeholder workshops.

• Completed scientific university degree (diploma (univ.) or master) in a life science course (molecular biology / bioanalysis / microbiology or similar) with an interest in bioinformatics and a good or very good degree.
• Practical experience in the field of molecular biological laboratory work, knowledge of next‑generation sequencing, DNA / RNA purification, and cultivation of microorganisms is desirable.
• Good knowledge and/or experience with bio‑informatics data processing techniques, relevant software such as R and Python.
• Very good written and spoken English and German.
• Ability to work in a team, flexibility and reliability, excellent communication and organisational skills, and assertiveness in dealing with students, companies, partners and scientists.
• Confident handling of common office software.

Information on the techniques can be found at  and Stefan Simm is particularly worth reading:

Das mit dem Freistaat Bayern geschlossene Beschäftigungsverhältnis erfolgt im Rahmen einer Vollzeitbeschäftigung mit 40 WoStd. und ist bis zum 28.02.2029 befristet. Die Stelle ist grundsätzlich Teilzeitfähig. Die Eingruppierung erfolgt in Entgeltgruppe 13 des TV‑L.

Please send your application with documents (application letter, CV, copies of records of your BSc and MSc, your PhD thesis, documents showing research experience if applicable, and contact information of references) in electronic form as a single pdf‑file via the application form by January 31, 2026. Unfortunately, applications submitted in writing or by email cannot be considered in the process. Applications received after the Final date to receive applications cannot be considered.

In the case of foreign university degrees, a certificate evaluation from the ZAB must be submitted in order to assess the admission requirements. https://(Sie können sich bewerben oder uns per E-Mail kontaktieren in dem Sie die untenstehende Online-Bewerbungsbox verwenden)/

Severely disabled persons will be given preference in hiring if they are otherwise essentially equally qualified, capable, and professionally competent.

Coburg University has set itself the goal of promoting women's careers and therefore expressly welcomes applications from women.

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Matthias Noll by email at

31.01.2026