Postdoctoral Researcher – Molecular and bioinformatic-based identification of optimized enzymes for biotechnological applications

Your Job:

• Analyaing RNAseq data with respect to the identification and functional annotation of genes involved in, for example, cell wall degradation, carbon flux etc.
  
• Screening metagenomic and genomic data using deep learning methods in order to identify degrading enzymes from different data resources
  
• Using Hidden Markov Models and similar tools as well as machine learning for the identification of novel and better enzyme variants from a large proteome compendium
  
• Generate structural models of enzymes and use machine learning methods to predict their enzymatic function and characterize their molecular recognition properties
  
• Using machine learning methods and simulation techniques to understand environmental effects on the enzymes and improve their stability and activity
  
• Publishing the scientific results in international journals and travel to national and international conferences
  
• You will (co)-supervise PhD students
  

Your Profile:

• University degree and doctorate in bioinformatics, computer science, data science, biophysics, or life science-related fields with a proven track record in bioinformatics, biophysics, data analysis, and simulation sciences
  
• Very good practical experience in molecular biology, Next Generation Sequencing, and structural biology
  
• Extensive experience in analyzing large datasets (especially genomics, transcriptomics, metagenomics, enzyme data, and structural data)
  
• Experience with the application of machine learning methods for data analysis and interpretation
  
• Knowledge in programming languages (e.g. Java, Rust, C/C++, Python) and statistical analysis using R/BioConductor/python
  
• Proven scientific communication skills in the form of scientific publications or equivalent
  
• Willingness to complement and collaborate with existing research units at the research center
  
• Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken are a requirement due to the international nature of the institute and collaborations
  

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• Outstanding scientific and technical infrastructure
  
• Creative and international team that conducts research at the frontiers of science
  
• The Forschungszentrum Jülich is one of the largest research centres in Europe with excellent scientific equipment, including the fastest supercomputer in Europe, is located on a green campus, and near the cultural centres of Cologne, Düsseldorf and Bonn
  
• A highly motivated group and an international and interdisciplinary working environment in one of the largest research institutions in Europe
  
• The possibility to develop your own research program in line with the institute and center strategy
  
• Flexible working hours in a full-time position with the option of slightly reduced working hours
  
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer:
https://go.fzj.de/benefits

We offer you an exciting and varied role in an international and interdisciplinary working environment. The position is for a fixed term of 1,5 years, with possible long-term prospects. Salary and social benefits will conform to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund), pay group EG 13, depending on the applicant’s qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks assigned to them. All information about the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) can be found on the BMI website: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed . The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 66 of the PDF download.

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.