Institute of Medical Psychology
Postdoc position in Chronomicrobiology (Circadian Biology and Microbiology)
At the inner city campus of the LMU Munich Medical Faculty
Remuneration group: TV-L E13
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time (100%)
Start date: 2025-04-01
Application deadline: 2025-01-30
About us
The Merrow Lab at the Institute of Medical Psychology studies the circadian clock in prokaryotes using a foundation of chronobiological principles and a powerful genetic model system, Bacillus subtilis. We ask questions not only about clock mechanisms but, in the tradition of Tinbergen, the ‘Why’ of the clock in this prokaryote. We are thus interested in how the B. subtilis clock contributes to the ecology of the organism. The lab is supported with DFG and ERC funding for this pioneer project.
Key Responsibilities
We are hiring a post doctoral scientist to join our international ERC Synergy-funded team of chronomicrobiologists, representing a new field that bridges microbiology and circadian biology. This project follows up on our novel discovery of a circadian clock in Bacillus subtilis, a finding that opens a new frontier in these fields. This position, based at LMU Munich, concerns cracking the molecular mechanism of the B. subtilis clock as well as describing the clock according to chronobiological formalisms. The scientist will use the outstanding toolkit afforded by B. subtilis to perform a genome-wide mutant screen. The work will be performed in close collaboration across the Synergy team, which includes partners at Leiden University (Netherlands) and The John Innes Centre (United Kingdom), thus requiring international travel and social skills consistent with cooperative working arrangements. The scientist will learn chronobiological principles and experimentation, and will play a key part of discovering this novel clock mechanism.
Selection Criteria
Experience in molecular biology of bacteria, Bacillus subtilis or other model species
Skills in computer programming related to bioinformatics methods and/or time-series analysis
Affinity for quantitative data analysis
Ability to think critically and work independently
Ability to work in a highly collaborative (international) project
Benefits:
- Project consistent with career development with a high degree of responsibility.
- Excellent infrastructure.
- A fully-funded position, salary conforms to TV-L E13, including end-of-year bonus.
- Professional career development resources within LMU.
- Participation in an international research team (MicroClock) and attendance of national and international conferences.
- Excellent public transportation.
- Lively neighbourhood and world class culture.
Contact:
Please send application materiatls to Professor Martha Merrow, Ph.D.:
merrow@lmu.de
We look forward to receiving your complete application as a single PDF file (max. 2MB), including the following requirements:
- Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages, written in English).
- Short statement of your research interests and why you choose to apply for this (max. 1 page)
- Contact details from three referees and how they interacted with you (one referee should be your PhD supervisor)
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and we appreciate diversity.
The application call closes on 30th January 2025.
Where knowledge is everything.
LMU researchers work at the highest level on the great questions affecting people, society, culture, the environment and technology — supported by experts in administration, IT and tech.
In the course of your application for an open position at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, you will be required to submit personal information. Please be sure to refer to our LMU Privacy Policy. By submitting your application, you confirm that you have read and understood our data protection guidelines and privacy policy and that you agree to your data being processed in accordance with the selection process.