The Faculty of Biology, Department of Chemical Ecology, has the following job opening:
In the Department of Chemical Ecology, the role of natural products that are involved in communication between individuals of the same or different species is investigated. These natural products can be involved in interactions between plants, herbivorous insects and their antagonists (e.g. predators, parasitoids) as well as in interactions with symbiotic partners such as pollinators and fungi. Within a species, these natural products can differ pronouncedly and interaction partners can respond individually to such variation. We are particularly interested in how factors of global change influence the properties of plants, insects and their interactions. In this context, various chemical-analytical methods are used and development, physiology and behaviour in ecological and evolutionary contexts are investigated.
The candidate will investigate the individual differences in the composition of specialised metabolites of plants (chemodiversity) and their impacts on interacting organisms.
Your Tasks
Research tasks (70 %):
- Research on the role of plant metabolites in interactions between plants and microorganisms or insects (e.g. in relation to chemodiversity or global change), using chemical-analytical methods, bioassays, fieldwork, and statistical analysis
- Plant and insect rearing under controlled conditions
- Data analysis and preparation of high-quality research publications
- Writing of research grants
Teaching tasks (25 %):
- Participation in teaching courses of the department (incl. supervision of students)
Other tasks (5 %):
Organisational tasks in the working area, including maintenance of GC-MS
The employment is conducive to academic qualification; opportunities for (further) academic qualification are provided.
We offer
- salary according to remuneration level 13 TV-L
- fixed-term (with option to extend) (3 years) (§2 (1) sentence 2 of the WissZeitVG; in accordance with the provisions of the WissZeitVG and the Agreement on Satisfactory Conditions of Employment, the length of contract may differ in individual cases)
- fulltime
- internal and external training opportunities
- variety of health, consulting and prevention services
- reconcilability of family and work
- flexible working hours
- 30 days holiday
- good transport connection
- supplementary company pension
- collegial working environment
- open and pleasant working atmosphere
- exciting, varied tasks
- modern work environment with digital processes
- various offers (canteen, cafeteria, restaurants, Uni-Shop, ATM, etc.)
Your Profile
We expect
- completed scientific university degree (Master or equivalent) in Biology or any related field
- completed PhD in Biology or any related field
- experience in the field of chemical-ecological research methods and/or metabolomics
- solid knowledge of chemical analysis using GC-MS
- very good knowledge of statistical analysis and the application of multivariate analysis methods (in R!)
- peer-reviewed publications in the field of ecology/chemical ecology
- very good written and spoken English language skills
- high level of organisational and communication skills
- independent, self-reliant and dedicated style of work
- very high motivation
Preferred experience and skills
- experience in research in plant chemical diversity
- experience with LC-MS
- fieldwork in ecology
- teaching experience in ecology
- very good written and spoken German language skills
Application Procedure
We are looking forward to receiving your application. To apply, please preferably use our online form via the application button below.
application deadline: 29.07.2026
Contact
Prof. Dr. Caroline Müller
0521 106-5524
[email protected]
Postal Address
Universität Bielefeld
Faculty of Biology
Prof. Dr. Caroline Müller
Postfach 10 01 31
33501 Bielefeld
