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We are inviting applications for the position of a Postdoc starting in spring 2023 with a duration of 20 months within the project "Can parasite evolution reinforce the effects of climate warming? (Paradapt)".

It is commonly believed that global warming will result in a “sicker world”, with infectious diseases increasing in prevalence and virulence. However, these predictions are based on short-term experiments that have not recognized evolution that could lead to thermal adaptation. This project aims at answering the question whether parasites’ prevalence is altered under elevated temperatures and if long-term exposure to warming amplifies this effect. The successful candidate will analyse field samples (eDNA of water, Daphnia samples) that have been collected from a set of five artificially heated lakes that receive warm water from two power plants and have experienced an elevation in water temperature of ca. 3–4ºC for the last 60 yr. These will be compared with eDNA and Daphnia samples that have been collected from five nearby non-heated control lakes, to generate new predictions regarding the evolution of (plankton) parasites in a warmer world. There are also possibilities to run experiments, with host (zooplankton Daphnia) and parasite isolates from these different sets of lakes. The successful candidate will join the Disease Evolutionary Ecology research group. The position is located at IGB in Berlin.

Your tasks

  • Generate and analyse sequence data from eDNA and Daphnia field samples
  • Lead at least two high-quality publication in the project area
  • Collaborate with other team members, including supervising students and sharing skills

 Your profile

  • PhD in ecology, evolution, bioinformatics or related field
  • Demonstrated experience in molecular/genomic work
  • Ability to perform metabarcoding, metagenomic, or other bioinformatic analyses
  • Publication experience
  • Collaborative team-worker
  • Very good communication skills in English, including scientific writing

Our offer

We offer an exciting position in an international and dynamic team of researchers, and an attractive scientific working environment including excellent equipment and technical support. We foster flat hierarchies and active participation and offer a variety of training opportunities. We actively support the reconciliation of work and family life. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply. The IGB is committed to diversity. We welcome every application, regardless of gender and gender identity, origin, nationality, religion, belief, health and physical disabilities, age or sexual orientation. Disabled applicants with equal qualification and aptitude will be given preferential consideration.

This is a full-time position with 20 months duration and a tentative start date of 01.04.2023 (or shortly thereafter). Salary is paid according to the German salary scheme for the public sector for postdoctoral research (TVöD Bund E13). The working language at IGB is English.

Are you interested?

We look forward to receiving your application (letter of motivation indicating research interests and experience, CV, certificates, contact information of two potential referees) by 15.02.2023. Please state the job reference number 03/2023 and apply exclusively via our recruitment platform at www.igb-berlin.de/en/jobs. Enquiries can be directed to Prof. Justyna Wolinska at justyna.wolinska@igb-berlin.de.

 

“Research for the future of our freshwaters” is the mission of the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB). The IGB is Germany’s largest and one of the leading international research centres for freshwaters. We seek to understand the fundamental processes governing freshwaters and their communities. Our research findings help to tackle global environmental changes. The IGB is a diverse and inspiring place to work and conduct research. We promote individual development at every career level. With more than 350 employees and guests from all over the world, we conduct research at five locations in Berlin and at Lake Stechlin (Brandenburg). IGB closely collaborates with numerous national and international universities and other partners in science and society and is a member of the Leibniz Association, which connects 96 independent public research institutes in Germany. www.igb-berlin.de