Research Assistant (f/m/d) – PhD student position in the project Diversity and function of fermenting microorganisms in Antarctic marine sediments

MARUM – Zentrum für Marine Umweltwissenschaften

Entgelt- / Besoldungsgruppe E 13 – Teilzeit 75%
Kennziffer: A166-26
Bewerbungsfrist: 29.09.2026
Öffentliche Ausschreibung

The University of Bremen through the MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences – is offering the position of a

Research Assistant (PhD student position) (f/m/d)
in German pay scale 13 TV-L

with 75% of the weekly working hours (29.4 hours)

from the next possible date limited for 3 years (according to § 2 WissZeitVG).

The university as an employer:
With around 20,000 students and approximately 3,500 staff, the University of Bremen is a medium-sized university. It ranks among the universities in Germany with the highest levels of external funding and research activity.

MARUM (www.marum.de) is an internationally recognized center for marine environmental research with a focus on the geosciences, anchored as Research Faculty at the University of Bremen.

Job description:

In the Microbial Ecophysiology Group, we investigate the structure and function of microbial communities in Antarctic marine sediments. Fermentative microorganisms play a key role in the initial anaerobic breakdown of organic polymers, supplying substrates for sulfate- and iron-reducing microorganisms. However, their identity, distribution, and activity in Antarctic sediments remain poorly understood.

Our DiFMAS project, part of the DFG Priority Programme Antarctic Research, combines geochemical analyses, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, qPCR, and RNA-based stable isotope probing (RNA-SIP) using 13C-labelled organic material. We aim to identify these key fermentative organisms and determine the environmental factors controlling their activity under future conditions. Ultimately, the project will improve our understanding of anaerobic microbial food webs in Antarctic coastal sediments and their role in polar biogeochemical processes.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Sampling and geochemical analysis of Antarctic sediment samples

• Incubation experiments and stable isotope probing of microbial communities

• Sequence analysis of microbial communities

• Planning and participation in fieldwork (approx. 3 months) on the Antarctic Peninsula, Carlini Station

• Collaboration with colleagues within MARUM, the DFG Priority Program and our Argentinian cooperation partners

• Presentation of results in regular project meetings and at international conferences; Publication of results in leading, peer-reviewed scientific journals

Voraussetzungen

What you need to bring:

• A successfully completed scientific university degree (Master’s/university diploma) in biology/microbiology, biogeochemistry or a related field.
  Applicants who are in the final phase of their Master’s degree program will also be considered. Please note that submission of your Master’s degree certificate is mandatory for employment.

• Experience with sampling and incubation experiments

• Very good written and spoken English skills
• Ability to work in a team
• Communication skills in an international working environment

The following would also be advantageous:

• Experience with scientific expeditions

• Experience in computer-aided analysis of biological sequence datasets (e.g., with R, Python and Bash/Linux environments)

• Basic understanding of polar microbiology, marine sediments or ecological issues

• Spanish language skills

Allgemeine Hinweise

What we offer:

• Our group is international, and the working language is English
• Opportunity to participate in integrated doctoral training including quality assurance (Thesis advisory committee, supervision agreement)

• Depending on individual qualifications, a gross annual salary in accordance with the TV-L ranging from 57,112.44 € (Level 1) and 81,176.28 € (Level 6) for a full-time position (39.2 hours per week). The university will determine the individual pay grade assignment based on relevant prior professional experience upon an offer of employment. Additional benefits, such as the annual bonus (“Christmas bonus”) and any career advancement opportunities within the advertised pay grade, are also dependent on this assignment. This is based on the applicable legal provisions of the TV-L (specifically § 16 TV-L).

• For civil servants, remuneration is governed in particular by the provisions of the Bremen Civil Service Remuneration Act (further information can be found here).

• An additional pension plan for public sector employees (VBL).

• 30 days of vacation per calendar year (based on a 5-day workweek)
• A diverse, future-orientated and open corporate culture
• Support from a collegial, motivated team with a positive working environment
• Individual onboarding

• Opportunities for continuing education and professional development

• Work-life balance through flexible working hours (flex time) and the option to work remotely (subject to certain conditions)

• Free services as part of social and family counseling

• An active workplace health management program, including discounts at local sports clubs, gyms, and swimming pools (EGYM WELLPASS)

• The option to use a Job-Ticket

• Numerous sports and cultural activities

• A variety of dining options in the Student Services cafeterias

Do you have any questions?
For general questions about the personnel selection procedure and for questions about the content of the advertised position, please contact: Prof. Dr. Michael W. Friedrich (phone: +49 421 218-63060 / e-mail: michael.friedrich@uni-bremen.de

How to apply:
Please send your application with your complete documents (cover letter, your CV, copies of transcripts and qualification certificates, and contact information of two references) to the following address, quoting the reference number A166-26 until 29.09.2026 as a single PDF file by unencrypted e-mail to: [E-Mailadresse]

or by mail to:

Please note that no photos are to be attached to the application documents.

We kindly ask you to send us only copies (no portfolios) of your application documents, as we cannot return them. They will be destroyed after the selection process has been completed.

Data Protection Notice In accordance with §§ 12, 13 GDPR, your application documents will be stored in compliance with Art. 6 GDPR in conjunction with § 12 BremDSGVOAG, §§ 85ff. BremBG, § 15 AGG until the legal retention period expires and will then be destroyed.

Any application costs cannot be reimbursed.

We look forward to receiving your application!

General information

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 spectrum 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 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 strongly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice, and climate neutrality. Our Bremen spirit is expressed in the courage to try 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 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 promotes the employment of women at all levels. Women are therefore expressly encouraged to apply.

Disabled applicants will be given priority if their professional and personal qualifications are essentially the same.