Lab technician (m/w/d)

The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology, geochemistry, and geophysics, thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.

Lab Technician (m/w/d) for Molecular Biology Work

Background
The position will be localized in the AWI section “Polar Biological Oceanography”. The section uses a wide spectrum of physiological and genetic analytical methods. The focus of the advertised position is on the investigation of marine invertebrates via molecular/genetic analyses. Specifically, we investigate the internal clocks and the control of rhythms in copepods (Calanus) and worms (Platynereis). Copepods have a key role in pelagic food webs and perform daily and seasonal vertical migrations. Platynereis worms use their internal clocks to synchronize their reproduction with the lunar cycle.

Your Tasks

• General lab responsibilities (coordinate lab work, ordering, briefing of students, etc.)
• Preparation of media and buffers
• Cloning of genes (bacteria culture, digest/ligation, gel-extraction, Maxi- & Miniprep)
• Cell culture (Drosophila S2-cells) and transfection
• RNA/DNA-extraction, cDNA-synthesis, PCR

Your Profile

• Qualification as a biological lab technician or comparable degree
• Experience with molecular work (especially with RNA/DNA, cloning, and/or cell culture)
• Motivation to familiarize yourself with a new topic (marine chronobiology)
• Good English skills

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Experience with (marine) non-model organisms and/or chronobiology
• Experience with western blots and in situ stainings (FISH, immunohistochemistry, HCR)
• Experience with the design of primers and plasmids
• Experience with marine biology fieldwork

Further Information

For any questions you may have, you are very welcome to get in touch with Dr. Sören Häfker (soeren.ahefker@awi.de; +49(471)4831-2360) and Prof. Dr. Kristin Tessmar-Raible (kristin.tessmar-raible@awi.de; +43(1)4277-74635).

This is a part-time position (50 %), for 2 years. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level XX. The place of employment will be Bremerhaven.

The AWI is characterized by

• Our scientific success - excellent research
• Collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
• Opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
• An international environment – everyday contact with people from all over the world
• Flexible working hours
• Health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
• Support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
• Occupational pension provision (VBL)

AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, physical abilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities.

Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.

AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways and has received several awards as a result of this commitment. And as a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our Family Office and International Office will be glad to support you, even before you start at AWI.

We look forward to your application!

Please submit your application by November 27th, 2024, exclusively online.
Reference number: 24/180/G/Bio-b