Biotechnologe (m/w/d)

INM - Leibniz-Institut für Neue Materialien gGmbH; Saarbrücken; On-site; EUR 54,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2-year contract (TV-L E13)

International environment

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Training opportunities

Job summary

INM invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Researcher in microbial biotechnology to join the Bioprogrammable Materials group. The role focuses on identifying microbes capable of degrading bio-based polymeric coatings and applying ALE to improve degradation.

You will work in an international team, publish results, and contribute to industrial partnerships, with a 2-year funded contract under E13 TV-L 100% and opportunities for training.

Qualifications

• PhD in biotechnology, biochemistry, microbiology or related fields.
• Experience with adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) is required.
• Excellent communication in English in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Identify microbes capable of degrading bio-based polymeric materials.
• Establish screening platforms to evaluate microbial degradation performance.
• Apply adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) to improve degradation efficiency and substrate utilization.
• Characterize evolved strains using microbiological and molecular biology techniques.
• Collaborate with industrial and academic project partners.
• Contribute to project reporting, scientific publications and conference presentations.
• Actively participate in the research activities of the group.

Skills

Microbiology

Biotechnology

Adaptive Lab Evolution

Education

PhD in biotechnology, biochemistry, microbiology or related fields

Job description

Introduction

INM is an internationally leading centre for interdisciplinary research on (bio)hybrid materials, and their exploitation in materials-based solutions for a sustainable world with increasing digitalization and medical needs. Our research integrates materials chemistry, biological processes, physical analysis, and process engineering. We aim for leadership in the fields of opto-interactive, electro-integrative and bio-intelligent material systems. In these areas, we actively seize opportunities to transfer our scientific results into materials-driven innovation.

The INM research group, Bioprogrammable Materials, is looking for an enthusiastic Post-Doctoral Researcher with experience in microbial biotechnology and adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE). We combine synthetic biology, microbial engineering and sustainable materials research to develop innovative solutions for industrial and environmental challenges. We are seeking to fill a 2-year funded Post-Doctoral Researcher position as part of an Industrially-aligned European project developing sustainable biobased coatings. The role at INM focuses on identifying and ehancingmicrobes capable of degrading the polymeric coatings, thereby enabling future circularity and end-of-life strategies.

• Identify microbes capable of degrading bio-based polymeric materials
• Establish screening platforms to evaluate microbial degradation performance
• Apply adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) to improve degradation efficiency and substrate utilization
• Characterize evolved strains using microbiological and molecular biology techniques
• Collaborate closely with industrial and academic project partners
• Contribute to project reporting, scientific publications and conference presentations
• Actively participate in the research activities of the group

We are seeking a person with a doctoral degree in biotechnology, biochemistry, microbiology or related fields, with practical experience in adaptive lab evolution. The candidate will be part of an international, multi-disciplinary team in which English is the primary language of communication and reporting. Since we work on application-oriented research, candidates with entrepreneurial interests are appreciated.

• A 2-year E13 TV-L 100% contract.
• A dynamic, interdisciplinary, and international research environment with excellent, state-of-the-art infrastructure.
• A cooperative, friendly and supportive environment, with plenty of opportunities to interact with other researchers, also outside the team and the institute.
• The opportunity for training to support high-quality research and to further develop your profile.