The UFZ
The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100
employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence
centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific
organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research
seeks to find a balance between social development and the long-term
protection of our natural resources.
The job
The collaborative research project "Biological Soil Status Survey of German
Forests" ("BBZE Wald") of the Thünen Institute of Forest Ecosystems and the
Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research - UFZ funded by the FNR Forest
Climate Fund aims to monitor the functional activity and microbial diversity
of forest soils in Germany to gain a better process-based understanding of the
contribution of forests and forest soils to balanced and sustainable
biogeochemical cycles by integrating all biological and non-biological data.
Within this joint project the Department of Soil Ecology of the Helmholtz
Center for Environmental Research – UFZ is in charge of the implementation of
experiments to link the microbial pools (e.g. microbial C, N) with soil C
flows and their determination by respiration, growth and enzymatic activity.
Further task is the proceeding of the DNA extraction from soil and sequencing.
For support in project technical tasks the "Soil Ecology" Department offers a
position "Biological-Technical Assistant" (m/f/d) starting from 1sr April
2023
Your tasks
Preparation and homogenization of soil samples by sieving;
Sample storage for DNA extraction;
Plan and carry out biochemical and molecular analyses
Estimation of microbial C and N by chloroform fumigation-extraction
technique;
Estimation of soil basal respiration by CO2 emission;
Estimation of microbial growth parameters by respiratory response to
glucose;
Estimation of enzyme kinetics by fluorogenic substrates (β-glucosidase,
β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, leucin-aminopeptidase, acid/alkaline
phosphatases);
Isolation of microbial DNA;
Amplicon sequencing through PCR amplification and Illumina MiSeq-
sequencing in a close collaboration with another biological-technical
assistant working within this project as well
Documentation of the results;
Performing and coordination of the general laboratory work (orders,
maintenance, preparation of chemicals and reagents, etc).
We offer
Excellent technical facilities which are without parallel
The freedom you need to bridge the difficult gap between basic research
and close to being ready for application
Work in inter-disciplinary, multinational teams and excellent links with
national and international research networks
A vibrant region with a high quality of life and a wide cultural offering
for a balance between family and professional life
Interesting career opportunities and an extensive range of training and
further education courses
Remuneration up to TVöD public-sector pay grade 7 including public-sector
social security benefits
Your profile
Fully trained as a biological-technical assistant (d/m/w) or an
equivalent professional qualification
Experience in lab work in the field of soil or environmental microbiology
and/or molecular biology
Careful and structured way of working in all laboratory activities
Quick perceptiveness, ability to work in a team, flexibility and
reliability
Basic computer skills, especially the sound knowledge of Excel
Willingness to work in an interdisciplinary and international team
Good German and intermediate or good English language skills (spoken and
written)
