W1 Junior Professorship (W3 tenure track position) in Microbiology

Universität des Saarlandes

Saarland University is a campus university with an international focus and a strong research profile. The four core research areas -Computer Science-, -BioMed-, -Sustainability- and -Europe- are defining features of the university. With numerous internationally respected research institutes situated in the vicinity of the university and dedicated support for start-up companies, Saarland University is an ideal environment for research, teaching and innovation. The proportion of international students studying at Saarland University is well above the national average and is testimony to the university's strong international focus. Saarland University has been officially certified as a family-friendly university since 2004.

Research at the Department of Biosciences at Saarland University is focused on molecular and cellular biology, in particular on understanding the role of epigenetics, compartmentalization, proteostasis and protein aggregation in metabolic pathways and in the regulatory control of cellular processes. Research groups within the department are also developing and applying molecular engineering and systems biology approaches that aim to uncover novel molecular mechanisms. The Department of Biosciences maintains close interdisciplinary research ties to research groups in the fields of biophysics, bioinformatics, pharmaceutical science and medicine.

The Department of Biosciences in the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology at Saarland University is inviting applications for the following position to commence in the spring of 2026:

W1 Junior Professorship (W3 tenure track position) in Microbiology
(m/f/x; Reference no.: W2673)

This position will initially be a fixed-term public sector position (Beamtenverhältnis auf Zeit) for a period of four years. The duration of the appointment may be extended up to a maximum of six years in total if this is supported by the results of the teaching appraisal and the external assessment of the appointee's research work. If performance continues to meet the required standards and if the tenure evaluation procedure is positive, the junior professor will be promoted to a permanent professorship (lifetime tenure) at the German academic salary scale W3. At Saarland University, tenure track professors (W1) are regarded as full members of the professorial staff and have the right to supervise Bachelor's, Master's and PhD students.

The Department of Biosciences is looking to appoint an outstanding and highly motivated early-career cell biologist specializing primarily in prokaryotic systems. Candidates will currently hold a postdoctoral research position, lead a junior research group or will be in the early stages of a junior professorship. They will have a proven track record of ground-breaking research in areas that can include metabolism, genetic control, protein assemblies, compartmentalization and/or cellular communication. The candidate should be able to use molecular engineering techniques, quantitative and/or interdisciplinary approaches to describe and perturb cellular systems. Furthermore, they should seek to gain insights into molecular mechanisms that could be translated into applications. The candidate's research should align and engage with ongoing research work being conducted in the Department of Biosciences and the Faculties of Natural Sciences and Technology and/or Medicine. We welcome collaborative research ties with the -Pharma Science Hub- and the university's core research area -BioMed- as well as with the numerous external research institutes located on or near the Saarbrücken campus.

The successful applicant will be capable of teaching courses and modules in microbiology in both the Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in Human and Molecular Biology. The candidate's participation in the German-French double degree programmes in Biology with the University of Strasbourg (B.Sc. and M.Sc.) is encouraged as is their involvement with teaching activities in related scientific disciplines. The person appointed will be expected to contribute innovative teaching concepts at all levels of academic study (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD) and be willing to teach in English or German. They should be closely involved in supervising student theses as well as encouraging and supporting junior researchers.

The appointment will be made in accordance with the general provisions of German public sector employment law. Candidates must have a university degree in the biosciences and have experience in and an aptitude for academic teaching. They will have demonstrated a particular capacity for independent academic research, usually evidenced by the outstanding quality of their PhD or doctoral thesis. If the applicant was employed as a research associate before or after their PhD/doctorate, the combined period of doctoral research and employment in Germany should not exceed six years. For additional information on employment requirements, please refer to Sec. 1.3 of the Framework Regulations Governing the Approval, Recruitment and Evaluation Procedures for Junior Professorships at Saarland University (Rahmenordnung zur Freigabe, Besetzung und Evaluation von Juniorprofessuren an der Universität des Saarlandes) of 12 December 2018 (www.uni-saarland.de/berufungen). Questions regarding eligibility criteria may be addressed to Prof. Dr. Dora Tang (dora.tang@uni-saarland.de).

Saarland University views internationalization as a process spanning all aspects of university life. We therefore expect members of our professorial staff to promote and foster further internationalization. Special support will be provided for projects that expand collaboration within existing international cooperative networks, e.g. projects with partners in the European University Alliance Transform4Europe (www.transform4europe.eu) or the University of the Greater Region (www.uni-gr.eu).

In accordance with the objectives of its gender equality plan, Saarland University is actively seeking to increase the proportion of women in this field. Qualified women candidates are therefore strongly encouraged to apply. Preferential consideration will be given to applications from disabled candidates of equal eligibility. Furthermore, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of nationality, ethnic heritage or social background, religious beliefs, personal beliefs or values, age, sexual orientation or identity.

Please complete the application form in Saarland University's online application portal at www.uni-saarland.de/berufungen and submit it with your application documents by no later than 05 September 2025. Application documents must be uploaded as a single PDF file (max. size 10 MB) and should include the following documents in the order specified:

• Curriculum vitae (CV);
• Your CV must include: (i) your home address, phone number and email address; (ii) a list of publications; (iii) a summary of your previous experience in academic teaching and research (incl. teaching appraisals, if available); (iv) a summary of the types and amounts of external funding secured; (v) the names and contact information of two persons who can provide professional references.
• a two-page research plan and a one-page teaching concept;
• your three most significant publications of the last five years;
• copies of your Master's and doctoral certificates;
• The completed recruitment questionnaire for junior professorships at Saarland University (accessible via the online application portal)
• Proof of disability if you declared a disability in your application
• If you hold a university degree from a non-German university, please provide proof of equivalence from Germany's Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) if available. If you have not yet requested proof of equivalence from ZAB, you must submit proof at a later date if so requested.

When you submit a job application to Saarland University, you will be transmitting personal data. Please refer to our privacy notice for information on how we collect and process personal data in accordance with Art. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (www.uni-saarland.de/en/privacy). By submitting your application, you confirm that you have taken note of the information in the Saarland University privacy notice.