technical assistant (m/f/d)

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is a foundation under public law jointly financed by the Federal Republic of Germany (90%) and the State of Schleswig-Holstein (10%). It is one of the internationally leading institutions in the field of marine research.

Through our research and our commitment to the transfer of knowledge and technology, we contribute significantly to the preservation of the function and protection of the ocean for future generations. As part of the LiMare consortium funded by the BMWE, an approach will be developed that will enable extractions of critical raw materials from seawater in a selective and environmentally friendly manner. The sub-project “Determining the impacts on the marine ecosystem” aims to provide a risk assessment for this new technology.

The Geomicrobiology group in the research unit Marine Geosystems is offering one position for a

technical assistant (m/f/d)

starting as soon as possible. The position is limited to 36 months, subject to approval.

The Geomicrobiology group studies microbial communities from the sea floor - from shallow water to the deep sea. In light of ongoing anthropogenic activities, it is of fundamental importance to understand how microorganisms and their metabolisms are influenced by changing environmental conditions and how they in turn shape their environment. Established methods the Geomicrobiology working group uses to address these aspects include molecular biological approaches as well as cultivation-based techniques such as incubation experiments, cultivation and rate measurements.

Job description/Project description

You will conduct incubation experiments with sediment cores and the overlying water column in order to produce a well-founded risk assessment of a newly developed process for the selective and environmentally friendly extraction of critical raw materials from seawater. In doing so, you will implement different experimental approaches, take subsamples at defined times, and perform cell count determinations as well as taxonomic, functional, and chemical analyses. The methods used include classical microbiological and molecular biological laboratory techniques for analyzing microbial diversity and functionality.

Qualification

Requirements:

• Completed training as a biology lab technician, chemical-technical assistant, or biological technical assistant, or comparable qualification
• Extensive practical experience in classical microbiological and molecular biological methods
• Experience working under sterile laboratory conditions and with microbiological cultivation techniques
• Willingness to participate in sea-going expeditions
• Very good written and spoken German

Desirable:

• Experience in DNA and RNA extraction from sediments and environmental samples
• Experience in preparing DNA/RNA material for Illumina sequencing
• Knowledge of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and specific staining methods; experience with light and fluorescence microscopy
• Basic understanding of microbiological metabolic processes
• Experience with sensor technology and microprofile measurements
• Experience in data analysis with Excel or R, including sequence data analysis
• Practical field and ship experience, especially sampling and sediment core work
• Flexibility in changing tasks and willingness to undergo further training
• English skills are an advantage

At a workplace, directly on the Kiel Fjord with many leisure and recreational opportunities, we offer you:

• Support services for professional and personal life situations
• An exciting work environment with the opportunity to provide important impetus for the development of sustainable solutions
• Exciting topics in an international environment
• Work in the field of marine and climate research, a forward-looking area with social significance
• 30 vacation days + additional time off at Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
• Company pension plan and capital-forming benefits

The position is limited to 36 months, subject to approval. Remuneration is based on pay scale E9a (TVöD-Bund) if the relevant requirements are met. The regular weekly working hours correspond to those of a full-time employee. The position can be split, provided that it is filled on a full-time basis. Flexible working time models are generally possible.

GEOMAR is committed to promoting women in the workplace. Applications from women are therefore expressly welcome. GEOMAR is committed to employing people with severe disabilities. Therefore, applicants with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if they are suitably qualified.

Please send your complete, informative application documents, including contact details for one reference, by January 12^th, 2026 via our application portal at the following link:

Online application

As soon as the selection procedure has finished, all your application data will be removed according to data protection regulation.

For further information regarding the position and research unit please contact Prof. Dr. Mirjam Perner (Tel.: 0431 600-2837, mperner(at)geomar.de) or send us an e-mail to bewerbung(at)geomar.de. In doing so, please refer to the keyword “TA - LiMare”.

For further information on GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel or the Helmholtz Association, please visit www.geomar.de or www.helmholtz.de.

GEOMAR is committed to an objective and non-discriminatory personnel selection. Our job advertisements address all people. We expressly renounce the submission of application photos.