Postdoc (m/f/d) in Endosymbiosis Research

Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf is a lively city in the center of Europe. The Institute of Microbial Cell Biology is part of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at HHU Düsseldorf. We are an international team of scientist. Lab language is English. We cover a broad range of biological and biochemical techniques and have access to state-of-the-art service facilities (e.g., in advanced imaging, structural biology, and proteomics) on campus. Postdocs can additionally enroll in interdisciplinary qualification and soft skill training courses offered by the ‘Junior Scientist and International Researcher Center’ of HHU (JUNO).

Main tasks
Our group is an enthusiastic team of cell and evolutionary biologists who investigate the evolutionary transition from bacterial endosymbionts to eukaryotic organelles. We are eager to understand the interactions of protists with permanent bacterial endosymbionts on a mechanistic level. To this end, we combine an array of state-of-the-art omics technologies with a strong focus on detailed molecular biological and protein biochemical experimentation to test omics-derived hypotheses. As model systems we established the photosynthetic amoeba Paulinella chromatophora and the symbiont-harboring trypanosomatid Angomonas deanei (plus relatives) in the lab. During the past years, we have gained fascinating insights into the process of organellogenesis and developed novel tools to dissect the biology of host/symbiont interactions (see e.g., Singer et al. (2017) Curr Biol. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.08.010.; Morales et al. (2023) Curr Biol. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.020.; Sørensen et al. (2024) FEBS J. doi: 10.1111/febs.17356; Maurya et al. (2025) Science Adv. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adp8518; Klimenko et al. (2025) Plant Phys. doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiaf504). To support the research of the group, we are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher. The successful candidate will work on a current project central to our research questions (that can partially be shaped by the interests and strengths of the successful candidate).

Your profil

• A PhD in biology, biochemistry or a related area
• Research experience in protistology, endosymbiosis biology, organelle biology or comparative genomics (in the latter case, with at least basic wet lab experience in protistology, endosymbiosis or organelle biology)
• A strong motivation in experimental work, literature search and scientific writing
• Readiness to work independently and as a team player in an interdisciplinary, international team
• Fluency (oral and written) in English
• Proactive character, creativity, communication and presentation skills, excellent organization and analytical skills
• We envision to enable the successful candidate to develop into a group leader and generate independent funding within the next two to three years. Therefore, the position aims at researchers with an excellent academic track record, who are poised for an academic career.