Permanent lab manager position, Storelli lab, Heidelberg, Germany

European Drosophila Society; Heidelberg; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Centre of Organismal Studies – Heidelberg University is seeking a Lab Manager for microbiome research. You will support the group “Physiology and symbiosis” in a cutting-edge environment, coordinating projects and maintaining lab operations.

Your role combines hands-on biology with administrative duties, including onboarding new members, ensuring smooth workflows, and contributing to the group’s biology-driven research on gut microbiomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in culture and genetic engineering of bacteria.
• Strong practical knowledge of cell and molecular biology methods.
• Fluent in English; German language skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Bacterial engineering and mutagenesis in plasmid/chromosomal DNA.
• Handle genome-wide mutant libraries and high-throughput screening.
• Work with Drosophila: crosses, microdissection, transgenic lines (design to transformants).
• General lab organization: ordering, inventory, stocks, instrument maintenance and calendar (shared).
• Onboarding and training of students and visitors on lab techniques.

Skills

Bacterial culture

Genetic engineering

Laboratory management

English communication

German language (helpful)

Education

Bachelor's degree

Technical assistant training

Tools

PCR

High-throughput devices

Job description

Lab manager in microbiome research (f/m/d)

Our group “Physiology and symbiosis” has recently joined the Centre of Organismal Studies – Heidelberg University. We are interested in how animals interact with their microbiomes, the diverse communities of microorganisms that can be either beneficial, or harmful. We combine the powerful genetics of model gut bacteria and Drosophila with multi-omics approaches to understand how symbiosis supports essential aspects of animal physiology. We are also interested in the basic mechanisms that support gut physiology, and how perturbations in these processes contribute to intestinal and systemic diseases.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic lab manager to join our new lab at COS. If you are team-oriented, seeking a position with diverse responsibilities, and eager to play a central role in the life of a research group within a dynamic, cutting‑edge research environment, we want to hear from you!

Tasks:

• Bacterial engineering (cloning, molecular engineering of expression vectors, targeted mutagenesis in plasmid/chromosomal DNA, random mutagenesis)
• Manipulation of genome-wide mutant bacterial libraries and high-throughput screening
• Work with Drosophila (genetic crosses, microdissection, generation of transgenic lines [from transgene design to selecting transformants after injection]). These skills can be learnt once in the lab.
• Central role in general laboratory organization, such as: ordering, inventory, maintaining stocks, instrument maintenance and lab calendar. Note that these tasks will be shared with another technician.
• Onboarding and training of students, new group members or visitors in technologies and protocols used in the laboratory

Your Profile:

• Degree from state-certified training program for technical assistants or Bachelor’s degree from accredited university with multiple years of experience in bacteriology, life sciences or equivalent
• Experience in the culture and genetic engineering of bacteria
• Very good theoretical knowledge and practical experience of cell and molecular biology methods, biochemistry and (immuno)histochemistry
• Ability to speak and write fluently in English, English is the working language of the laboratory. A good command of the German language is also beneficial.

You might also have:

• Experience in -omics (metabolomics, proteomics, Tn-seq, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq)
• Experience in high-throughput workflows (operation of automated liquid handling devices etc.)
• Experience in bioinformatics and analysis of large datasets
• Experience in cell culture
• Experience with high resolution imaging of tissues
• Experience in lab management

Remuneration is based on qualifications up to pay grade 9b TV-L.