The Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany, offers the position of a Research Associate / PhD candidate (m/f/d) Molecular Microbiome Analysis The position is part-time (65%) and initially limited to 3 years. The salary level will be TV-L 13. The starting date envisioned is as soon as possible. The position is offered in the framework of the Leibniz Cooperative Excellence project “Trends in hidden taxa and habitats - understanding the extent and impact of the biodiversity crisis (TrenDiv)”. Aim of this project is to describe recent trends (25-45 years) of invertebrate biodiversity changes in German soils, marine and freshwater sediments, flying insects, as well as their microbiomes. We specifically focus on underexplored, yet functionally important branches of the tree of life. To face these challenges, an interdisciplinary group of scientists will work together in the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz, State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart, Senckenberg am Meer - the German Centre for Marine Biodiversity Research, and the Leibniz Institute for Analysis of Biodiversity Change. Combining ancient DNA approaches with state-of-the-art molecular diversity analysis, the successful PhD candidate will apply and refine molecular methods to resolve changes in the composition and function of microbiomes that occurred during the invertebrate biodiversity changes of the past. In addition, the interrelation between animal microbiomes and the composition of the free-living microbial communities in the surrounding environment will be elucidated. Optimized, minimally invasive methods for the extraction of nucleic acids, high throughput sequencing methods and - where needed - multiple displacement amplification will be used to analyze museum specimens and environmental materials. Metagenomic sequencing will serve to extend the analysis beyond taxonomic composition towards functional genes and hence the functional potential of the microbiomes. This work will provide entirely novel insights into an almost entirely neglected aspect of the current biodiversity changes. The work will also include field work jointly conducted with our project partners. Master's level university degree in the life sciences, or related Strong interest in environmental microbiology and interdisciplinary work Team spirit and cooperative work style Experience with microbiological and molecular biological methods will be a plus A good command of English Willingness to travel (field campaigns, project meetings, conferences) Research opportunities at the forefront of life sciences Plenty of room for creativity & challenging topics Access to state-of-the-art Omics methods, including long read DNA sequencing technologies and metabolomics Access to cell sorting and high throughput cultivation technology Access to in-house high-performance computing clusters (2,464 CPUs, 18 TB RAM) An interdisciplinary working environment with frequent exchange of experiences A motivated research team and a pleasant working atmosphere in a scientific environment Education and training, mentoring programs A company certified according to audit berufundfamilie®, therefore flexible possibilities to combine work and family life