The Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) in the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., a member of the Leibniz Association, aims to understand and, where possible, ‘improve’ the adaptive capacity of wild animals to cope with global change. To this end, it focuses on the diversity of lifestyles, diseases and mechanisms of evolutionary adaptation of mammals and birds, on the limits of these mechanisms in natural and anthropogenically influenced environments, and on conservation strategies that take these into account. The Institute fulfils this mission through long-term, application-oriented, interdisciplinary basic research in evolutionary ecology, ecological dynamics, evolutionary genetics, wildlife diseases, reproductive biology and reproductive management.
For our Department of Reproduction Biology we are seeking to appoint a
Scientist (f/m/div) in full time
in the field of wildlife metabolomics.
We are hiring an experienced scientist to run a metabolomics research programme based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). The successful candidate will be in charge of all aspects of method development and validation and resulting sample analysis in the field of wildlife conservation research. You will co-lead the proteomics/metabolomics laboratory together with a specialist on proteomics who will be appointed at the same time.
Main topics, but not exclusive, will be unravelling the reproductive biology of species, innovative approaches in assessing stress and research on environmental contaminants. The resulting metabolomics wildlife platform should also allow the identification and validation of biomarkers as well as the benchmarking of existing in-house and newly developed immunoassay techniques.
Responsibilities include:
- UHPLC-HRMS measurements, documentation and interpretation of results;
- organising, processing, storing and analysing data;
- supporting the development and validation of immunoassays;
- leading and co-coordinating the metabolomics / proteomics laboratory, including guidance and supervision of technical staff and students;
- working independently and in close collaboration with other scientists and departments.
Requirements:
- PhD in Biology, Veterinary Sciences or related, related relevant area (senior PhD students can apply on the condition that they are close to finalising their thesis);
- a minimum of 3 years hands-on experience with UHPLC-HRMS applications, including method development and validation of targeted and untargeted screening methods;
- experience in processing and analysing UHPLC-HRMS data;
- strong organisational abilities;
- excellent command of English (written and spoken) and profound skills in scientific writing (manuscripts and research proposals);
- interest and ability to work in an international team and with a diverse community of scientists and stakeholders;
- a willingness to learn and develop skills for own improvement;
- high motivation to address scientific questions, particularly to developing and implementing novel approaches and applications for metabolomic analyses in wildlife.
Advantageous skills:
- Experience with UHPLC-HRMS applications in the field of conservation research.
- An interest in evolutionary adaptations.
This is what we offer:
- An interesting and responsible position with room for manoeuvre in an international and dynamic scientific working environment in a beautiful location right next to the Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde.
- A comprehensive induction programme and a well-functioning team that will be happy to support you.
- Working on an equal footing between all those involved and respectful co-operation within the team.
- A full-time employment relationship of 39 hours per week in flexitime with part-time option.
- A salary in accordance with the public collective bargaining law TVöD (Bund) with an annual bonus payment at level E13.
- Company pension scheme (VBL) and subsidised capital-forming benefits (VWL).
- Flexible working hours to allow scope for work-life balance.
- 30 days holiday per calendar year.
- Excellent connectivity with public transport, to underground stations Tierpark (U5) or Friedrichsfelde-Ost (S5, S7, S75), as well as three tram lines and several bus routes.
- Employer subsidy for the annual public transport ‘job ticket’.
- ree admission to the Tierpark (current agreement between Leibniz-IZW and Tierpark Berlin) from Monday to Friday.
The position will start soonest 1st July 2024 and latest 1st Jan 2025 and is initially limited to 3 years.
We welcome people of any gender, origin, sexual orientation and religion; there is equal opportunity. Severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration if they are equally qualified. The Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research is "Total-E-Quality" certified, actively supports the compatibility of work and family and promotes equality.
Enquiries or questions should be directed to Dr. Jella Wauters (wauters@izw-berlin.de) and Prof. Dr. Jennifer Schön (schoen@izw-berlin.de).
How to apply:
Go to Vacancies/Jobs on our homepage (www.leibniz-izw.de) and click on this advertisement and then on "Apply Online". Please send us your complete and informative application documents in this way, i.e. letter of motivation, CV and all relevant certificates. With fully prepared documents, your online application will take 10-15 minutes. Applications received by 15th April 2024 will be considered in any case. Re-entrants (f/m/div) are welcome!
We look forward to receiving your application!
