175 FB 5 Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeit (m/w/d) Arbeitsgruppe Ökologie

The Department of Ecology at the School of Biology/ Chemistry is seeking to appoint a

Research Assistant (m/f/d)

(salary grade E 13 TV-L, 65 %)

to commence at the earliest possible date. The duration of the position is limited to three years.


Your duties:

  • Participate in the DFG-funded research project: “Synergistic coevolution in mono-specific and multi-species microbial consortia”
  • Perform long-term coevolution experiments to study the evolution of metabolic cooperation
  • Generate and characterize bacterial mutants
  • Perform coculture experiments with different bacterial strains to determine bacterial fitness
  • Analyse the formation of clusters among bacteria using fluorescence microscopy
  • Investigate bacteria on a single-cell level using microfluidics and flow-cytometry
  • Quantify the amino acids production of bacteria via mass spectrometry
  • Statistical analysis of the resulting data
  • The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work towards a PhD

Required qualifications:

  • University degree (M.Sc. or comparable) in biology or a related field
  • Practical experience with microbiological working techniques
  • Excellent command in written and spoken English

Desirable qualifications:

  • An excellent university degree
  • Solid knowledge of molecular biological methods
  • Experience in executing large-scale evolution experiments
  • Sound knowledge of ecological and evolutionary theories and concepts
  • Practical experience in the use of mass spectrometry
  • Experience in high-resolution fluorescence microscopy
  • Very good knowledge in the application of statistical analysis procedures
  • Basic knowledge in the use of programming languages (e.g., Python or R)
  • Strong motivation and curiosity
  • Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team
  • Structured and independent way of working

We offer:

  • An exciting and highly topical research project
  • Supportive working atmosphere
  • International research team
  • Participation in the excellent graduate education programs at Osnabrück University (ZePrOS)
  • Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure at the School of Biology/ Chemistry (CellNanOs)
  • Live and work in the vibrant and livable city of Osnabrück

Osnabrück University is a family-friendly university and is committed to helping working/studying parents balance their family and working lives.

Osnabrück University seeks to guarantee equality of opportunity for women and men and strives to correct any gender imbalance in its schools and departments.

If two candidates are equally qualified, preference will be given to the candidate with disability status.

Please submit your application (including a letter of motivation, CV, copies of certificates, as well as names and contact details of 3 referees) the latest by January 4, 2026 as one PDF file via email to the Dean of the School of Biology/Chemistry (Email:  bewerb-bio@uni-osnabrueck.de). Please state the reference number “SKE” in the subject of your mail.

Please contact Prof. Dr. Christian Kost (email:  christian.kost@uni-osnabrueck.de) with any question regarding the position and check the website of the working group for further information ( www.kostlab.com).

We are very much looking forward to receiving your application.