Doctoral Researcher (f/m/d) in Space Microbiology

The Center of Applied Space Technology (ZARM) at the University of Bremen is looking for a

Doctoral Researcher (f/m/d) in Space Microbiology
Salary Scale (German) 13 TV-L

with a full working time (39.2 hrs) at the next possible date.

The project is funded by the European Research Council and the position is for 3 years (according to § 2 WissZeitVG), starting at the latest in January 2026.

Part-time work is generally possible. Details may need to be agreed with the advertising department.

Berufsgruppe

Wissenschaft und Forschung

Besetzbar

zum nächstmöglichen Zeitpunkt

Aufgabengebiet

The project

The researcher recruited for the advertised position will be involved in ERC project MarCyano. This project stems from a goal, shared by the world’s major space agencies, of sending humans to Mars within the next few decades. A sustainable human presence there, akin to today’s presence in Antarctica, could indeed generate paradigm-shifting knowledge at an unprecedented pace. One major challenge lies in providing the food, oxygen and other necessary consumables: these cannot be shipped from the Earth over the long term. They should instead be produced on site and for this, Nostocaceae cyanobacteria can be instrumental: fed with materials available in the Martian ground and atmosphere, they could provide feedstock for a range of bioprocesses which, in turn, could produce a wide range of consumables. However, fundamental knowledge is lacking to turn this concept into practical solutions: the physiology of cyanobacteria in the foreseen cultivation conditions is poorly understood. These conditions combine low total pressures, low partial pressures of dinitrogen, interactions with a basaltic substrate from which nutrients are leached, and high concentrations of chaotropic salts.

In project MarCyano, our team will enable a deep understanding of cyanobacterial physiology in these conditions. For this we employ a unique approach combining cultivation assays in unique hardware previously developed in-house, adaptive laboratory evolution, cutting-edge “omics” technologies, the development of a mathematical model which can predict the productivity and efficiency of cyanobacterium cultivation from Martian resources, and the construction of a testbed for the experimental validation of this model. We will use the generated knowledge and tools to design, characterize and demonstrate the viability of bioprocesses which dramatically improve the odds that Mars exploration is done in a sustainable way. Finally, we will adapt the concepts developed for bioproduction on Mars to open new avenues for sustainability on Earth.

Your tasks include:

• Conducting, and analyzing the results of, experiments aimed at assessing the effects on diazotrophic cyanobacteria of unnatural atmospheric conditions, using hardware previously developed in-house.
• Conducting, and analyzing the results of, experiments aimed at assessing the interactions between rock-weathering cyanobacteria and regolith akin to that found on Mars.
• Conducting, and analyzing the results of, adaptive laboratory evolution experiments.
• Preparing microbial samples for “omics” studies.
• Contributing to routine laboratory tasks (e.g., maintaining microbial cultures).
• Contributing to the training and mentoring of less experienced students.
• Elaborating your own scientific work, such as preparing a doctoral thesis and scientific publications.

Voraussetzungen

• A University Degree (Master of Science/ Uni- Diploma) in microbiology, cellular and molecular biology or a related field. Students who are still writing their Master thesis and do not yet have a certificate are also invited to apply. The degree certificate must be issued prior to employment.
• A strong desire to contribute to space exploration.
• A willingness to engage in interdisciplinary work.
• A good spoken and written English.
• An ability to work independently and a taste for teamwork.

Kennzeichen

A157-25

Bewerbungsfrist

01.06.2025

Befristet

3 Jahre

Allgemeine Hinweise

Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching, the University of Bremen has retained its character as a place of short distances for people and ideas since its founding in 1971. With a broad range of subjects, we combine exceptional performance and innovative potential. As an ambitious research university, we stand for research-based learning approaches and a pronounced interdisciplinary orientation. We actively pursue international scientific cooperation in a spirit of global partnership.

Today, around 23,000 people learn, teach, research and work on our international campus. In research and teaching, administration and operations, we are firmly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice and climate neutrality. Our Bremen spirit is expressed in the courage to dare new things, in supportive cooperation, in respect and appreciation for each other. With our study and research profile and as part of the European YUFE network, we assume social responsibility in the region, in Europe and in the world.

The University of Bremen offers among other things:

• Annual special payment ("Christmas bonus"), regular automatic collective salary increases, and additional pension benefits from the public sector (VBL)
• A secure, interesting, and varied workplace at an open-minded university
• 30 days of vacation per calendar year
• A diverse, future-oriented, and open corporate culture
• Support from a collegial, motivated team with a positive work environment
• Personalized training
• Opportunities for professional development and further education
• Work-life balance through flexible working hours (flextime) and the possibility of remote work (subject to framework conditions)
• Free services as part of social and family counseling
• An active corporate health management system, including discounts at local sports clubs, gyms, and swimming pools (EGYM WELLPASS)
• The possibility of using a job ticket (local public transport)
• Numerous offers for sports and cultural activities
• Varied catering options in the student cafeterias (Mensen) of the student union

The University of Bremen is family-friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international university. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

The University of Bremen intends to increase the proportion of female employees in academia, which is why women are expressly encouraged to apply. In the case of equal qualifications, women will be given priority, unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor prevail.

Disabled persons with essentially equal professional and personal qualifications will be given priority when applying.

Bewerbungshinweise

Your application should include in one PDF document: academic CV (including publication list if applicable), copies of BSc and MSc university transcripts and work references if applicable, the contact addresses for 2 references, and a letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages) explaining what exactly motivated you to apply for this position, why you are particularly interested in the proposed topic, and what skills and experience qualify you for the position.

We would like to point out that no photos are to be attached to the application documents.

Please only send us copies (no folders) as we cannot return these. Once the selection process has been completed, your application documents will be stored in accordance with the legal requirements and then destroyed.

Any costs for the application process cannot be reimbursed.

Ansprechperson

For general questions about the personnel selection procedure and for questions about the content of the advertised position, please contact cyprien.verseux@zarm.uni-bremen.de.

Please send your application with your complete and meaningful documents by June 1st, 2025 as a PDF file by unencrypted electronic mail, quoting the reference number A157-25, to cyprien.verseux@zarm.uni-bremen.de or by post to