About Leibniz University Hannover

Nestled in a modern city surrounded by nature and with an exceptional standard of living, Leibniz University Hannover offers excellent working conditions in a vibrant scientific community.

Position Opening

The Soil Microbiology Working Group of the Institute of Microbiology welcomes applications for the following position starting July 1st, 2026:

Research Assistant (Doctoral Position)

Topic: "The influence of climate change scenarios on the prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms in soils" Salary Scale: 13 TV-L, 65% Duration: Limited to 36 months (65% of standard working hours)

This position is part of the MWK-funded joint project "Bacterial Climate Resilience in One Health" (BaklimON).

Tasks and Project Description

This project investigates the effects of climate stress factors on microbial communities in soil, with a focus on pathogens. Your responsibilities will include:

Preparing and conducting soil incubations.
Measuring soil chemical and physiological activity parameters.
Performing amplicon analyses, quantitative PCR, and metagenomics.
Conducting live germ count determinations.
Collaborating with other doctoral candidates within BaklimON.
Participating in project-related seminars.
Presenting findings at national and international conferences.
Writing scientific publications.

Candidate Profile

Prerequisites:

Completed university degree in microbiology, life sciences, biotechnology, or related disciplines.

Required Skills and Experience:

High motivation for independent research.
Ability to work effectively in a team.
Very good written and spoken English communication skills.
Confident use of Office programs (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
Affinity for IT.

Desired Skills and Experience (Advantageous):

Experience with soil incubation.
Knowledge of microbial physiology.
Experience with aerobic and anaerobic cultivation techniques.
Familiarity with high-throughput sequencing methods.
Bioinformatics skills.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

Leibnse University Hannover is committed to equal opportunities and diversity, aiming to tap into individual potential. Applications are welcome from all individuals, regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or ideology, disability, age, sexual orientation, and identity. We encourage applications from women and give preference to equally qualified candidates with disabilities.

Why Join Us?

Leibnse University Hannover is one of the largest employers in the region, offering:

A vibrant, interdisciplinary, and international working environment.
Support for personal and professional development.
Modern, ergonomic IT equipment with height-adjustable desks.
State-of-the-art laboratories.
Excellent public transport connections and EV charging facilities.
On-site canteen with diverse food options.
Possibility of remote work arrangements.
Support for work-life balance, including childcare services and family support.
Extensive sports programs and a fitness center.
Health management initiatives.

Application Process

Contact Information:

For further details: Prof. Dr. Marcus A. Horn
- Tel: 0511 762-17980
- Email: horn@ifmb.uni-hannover.de

Application Submission:

Deadline: March 31st, 2026
Required Documents: Cover letter, CV, certificates, list of publications, and contact details of two references.
Format: Electronic, a single PDF document smaller than 30 MB.
Reference: "BaklimON Soil Microbiology"
Email: bewerbung@ifmb.uni-hannover.de

Postal Mail Address:

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover Institut für Mikrobiologie Herrenhäuser Str. 2 30419 Hannover

Data Protection:

Information on the collection of personal data according to Article 13 GDPR can be found at: https://www.uni-hannover.de/en/datenschutzhinweis-bewerbungen/

Research Assistant (Doctoral Position) on the topic of "The influence of climate change scenarios on the prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms in soils"