Postdoc (m/f/d) in Endosymbiosis Research

Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf

On-site

EUR 52,000 - 65,000

Full time

12 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Company pension grant

Good transport connection

Free parking

Flexitime

Working from home

Union rates

Part-time possible

Capital-forming benefits

Job summary

The group of Prof. Dr. Eva Nowack at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf invites applications for a Postdoc (m/f/d) in Endosymbiosis Research.

The successful candidate will work on protist interactions with bacterial endosymbionts and their evolution toward organellogenesis, using state‑of‑the‑art omics and molecular biology in established model systems. The role offers the chance to shape the project and to contribute to undergraduate teaching in German (about 4 contact hours per week) while

Qualifications

Master's degree and PhD in biology, biochemistry or related area.
Excellent academic track record.
Experience in microbiology or cell biology, genetic engineering and advanced microscopy.
Experience with organelle biology, symbioses or protistology is a plus.
Motivation for experimental work, literature search and scientific writing.
Ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary, international team.
Fluency in English and German (oral and written).
Proactive, creative, good communicator and well organized.

Responsibilities

Contribute to a current project at the heart of our research program.
Shape the project according to scientific interests and strengths.
Involve a limited amount of undergraduate teaching in German (4 contact hours per week).

Skills

Microbiology

Cell biology

Genetic engineering

Advanced microscopy

Organelle biology

Symbiosis

Protistology

English language

German language

Independent and team work

Education

Master's and PhD in biology/biochemistry or related area

Job description

The group of Prof. Dr. Eva Nowack, Institute of Microbial Cell Biology at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf is looking for

Postdoc (m/f/d) in Endosymbiosis Research

Main tasks
To support our ongoing research, we are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team. Our group is an enthusiastic and collaborative team of cell and evolutionary biologists investigating the evolutionary transition from bacterial endosymbionts to eukaryotic organelles.
We seek to understand, at the mechanistic level, how protists interact with permanent bacterial endosymbionts and how these associations evolve toward organellogenesis. To address these questions, we combine state‑of‑the‑art omics approaches with detailed molecular biological and protein biochemical experimentation. As model systems, we have established the photosynthetic amoeba Paulinella chromatophora and the symbiontharboring trypanosomatid Angomonas deanei and related species in the laboratory. Our work has provided exciting insights into organellogenesis and enabled us to develop novel tools for dissecting the molecular and cellular biology of host–symbiont interactions (see e.g., Morales et al. (2023) Curr Biol. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.020.; Sørensen et al. (2024) FEBS J. doi: 10.1111/febs.17356; Maurya et al. (2025) Science Adv. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adp8518; Klimenko et al. (2025) Plant Phys. doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiaf504; Hammond et al. (2026) Nat Commun. doi: 10.1038s41467-026-70084-0.).

The successful candidate will contribute to a current project at the heart of our research program, with the opportunity to shape the project in part according to their scientific interests, expertise, and strengths. The position will also involve a limited amount of undergraduate teaching in German [4 contact hours (Semesterwochenstunden) per week], providing an opportunity to contribute to the training of
the next generation of biologists.

Your Profile

A Master’s degree and PhD in biology, biochemistry or a related area
An excellent academic track record
Research experience in microbiology or cell biology, genetic engineering, and advanced microscopy techniques
Experience with organelle biology, symbioses or protistology is a plus
A strong motivation in experimental work, literature search and scientific writing
Readiness to work independently and as a team player in an interdisciplinary, international team
Fluency (oral and written) in English and German
Proactive character, creativity, communication and presentation skills, excellent organization and analytical skills

Our Offer The position is initially limited for a period of 2 years with the possibility of extension. It is a qualification position in the sense of the Act of Academic Fixed-Term Contract (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG), which is to promote the scientific qualification of the employee. The pay scale grouping will be 13 TV-L.

About us Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf is committed to the principle of “Excellence through Diversity.” The University has signed the Diversity Charter and successfully participated in the Stifterverband’s “Vielfalt gestalten” (Shaping Diversity) audit. It is certified as a family-friendly university and has received the HR Excellence in Research Award from the European Union. Applications from people of all genders are expressly encouraged. In accordance with the provisions of the State Equal Opportunities Act, applications from women will be given preference where candidates are equally qualified. Applications from severely disabled persons and persons with equivalent status are likewise expressly encouraged. To ensure that severe disability or equivalent status is taken into consideration, please provide appropriate supporting documentation.

Our Benefits