Doctoral and Postdoctoral Researcher Positions in the Cluster of Excellence - Microbes for Climate

The University of Marburg, founded in 1527, offers a variety of excellent programs of study for around 22,000 students and confronts the important topics of our time through excellent research across a broad spectrum of sciences.

The Cluster of Excellence
-Microbes for Climate (M4C)- deciphers the fundamental molecular mechanisms of microbial contributions to the carbon cycle and uses synthetic biology to develop more efficient ways to sustainably convert CO2. This knowledge will be generated in a scale-bridging approach (from the atomic structure of enzymes to the systems level of the cell) through highly interdisciplinary and integrative studies. Within M4C, Marburg University, the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg, the University of Münster and the University of Giessen join forces.

• 7 doctoral positions, each initially limited to 3 years, part-time 65%
• 2 postdoctoral positions, each initially limited to 2 years, full-time

Doctoral positions may be extended by up to 1 year, and postdoctoral positions by up to 2 years.

Remuneration and pension scheme is according to the currently applicable collective agreements of the host institution (TV-H, TV-L, TVöD-Bund or comparable). For detailed information on the projects and the respective host institution as well as relevant documents to be submitted together with your application, see Career in M4C.

The projects starting from January 2027 are embedded in three research foci:

Microbes as Drivers of Climate Change:
Evolution of the Biological Carbon Cycle – Combining molecular evolutionary and biochemical approaches, we will generate an integrative, comprehensive understanding of how microbes evolved the ability to capture CO2 billions of years ago, initiating and shaping the development of the biological carbon cycle.

Microbes as Responders to Climate Change – We elucidate the integration of CO2-converting molecular machines into the cellular context in space and time, how stress factors influence these processes, and how the cellular network enables their robust functioning.

Microbes providing Solutions to Climate Change:
Developing a future Carbon Cycle with Synthetic Microbiology – To overcome the limitations of naturally evolved CO2/CH4-converting processes, we will leverage the methods of synthetic biology and break new ground:
We will develop and test “new-to-nature solutions that open radically novel, more efficient biological paths for CO2/CH4-conversions that nature has not explored so far.

Within the scope of the assigned tasks, the opportunity for independent scientific work is offered, which serves one's own scientific qualification. The limitation is in accordance with § 2, 1 WissZeitVG.

• completed academic university degree (Diploma, Master's or equivalent) in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, bioinformatics, computational biology or a related field
• a doctoral degree in a field of relevance for a postdoctoral position
• relevant experience and skills related to the project you are applying for and motivation to learn and develop further skills
• curiosity, high self-motivation, enthusiasm to develop your research project
• work independently and as part of an international team, have excellent English communication skills and are eager to contribute to M4C

Disposition to own scientific qualification is expected.

• the opportunity to take on a varied and responsible role and become part of a renowned and future oriented institution
• a motivated team that values a good work-life balance, further development and consolidation of your individual professional and personal skills seminars, workshops and e-learning opportunities for personal development
• a structured Early Career Researcher (ECR) program supporting academic and professional development
• a wide range of health programmes and a comprehensive programme to promote the compatibility of family and career
• flexible working hours and opportunities for mobile working, in line with institutional policies
• annual bonus payment and remuneration according to the currently applicable collective…