Postdoctoral Researcher Position (m/f/div) in Metagenomics

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Job-ID 03/2026

At the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), we investigate the pathobiology of microorganisms and develop new natural product-based active compounds for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Postdoctoral Researcher Position (m/f/div) in Metagenomics

The postion is initially limited to three years.

Your mission

We are seeking an excellent and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher with a strong interest in computational microbiome research. The specific focus of the project will be tailored to the candidate’s skills and interests and will align with the objectives of the aforementioned consortia. A key component of the work will involve the computational integration of multi-omics datasets from both microbial communities and the host, with the goal of uncovering the systemic impact of gut bacteria on human physiology.

As part of this position, you will work at the interface of the gut microbiome, diet, and the immune system to investigate the role of gut bacteria in various diseases, including but not limited to cancer, metabolic disorders, aging, and infections. You will collaborate with renowned scientists in an interdisciplinary and international environment supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure. Together, we aim to advance science and contribute to a healthier, cleaner, and fairer society, fostering academic excellence in a collegial and inclusive setting.

Your profile

• A strong interest in conducting collaborative research on the topic outlined above is paramount
• Candidates are expected to be interested in working at the boundaries of several research domains
• PhD degree in computational biology, bioinformatics, systems biology, bioengineering, chemical engineering, or a related discipline
• Knowledge and experience in the analysis of metagenomics, untargeted metabolomics, or other biological high-throughput datasets
• Knowledge of statistical methods in the context of biological systems
• Experience with programming (Python, Perl, C++, R)
• Well-developed collaborative skills

We offer

• The successful candidates will be hosted in the department Microbiome Dynamics of Prof. Gianni Panagiotou of the Leibniz-HKI in an international, dynamic team and an “open-door” atmosphere with access to state-of-the-art computational resources.
• We offer an international and multi-disciplinary environment with strong expertise in the proposed research fields. The group consists of approximately 15–20 members at different levels of seniority.

Salary is paid according to German TV-L (salary agreement for public service employees). As an equal opportunity employer, the Leibniz-HKI is committed to increasing the percentage of female scientists and, therefore, especially encourages them to apply.