Research Assistant; PhD position; f​/m​/d

Research Assistant (PhD position) (f/m/d)
in the research group Organic Geochemistry within the ERC Synergy Project “Archean Park” Marum Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen

Classifications E 13 - part-time 75%
Reference number: A021-26
Closing date: 03/19/2026
Public vacancy

MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen, is offering a position for a

Research Assistant (PhD position) (f/m/d)
German pay scale 13 TV-L
with 75% of the regular weekly working hours (29.4 hours)
from May 1 st , 2026 at the earliest limited until April 30 th , 2030 (according to § 2 WissZeitVG )

MARUM is an internationally recognized center for marine environmental research with a focus on the geosciences, anchored as Research Faculty at the University of Bremen.

At MARUM, doctoral researchers are supervised by a team of experienced scientists and benefit from a large network of PhD students from around the world. Further training courses and support are offered by the MARUM Research Academy . The program includes a training curriculum with subject-specific and competency courses that address the diversity of environmental and marine science disciplines, as well as a soft-skill training to complement the doctoral training.

The position is part of an EU-funded program, the ERC Synergy Projekt „Archean Park“ . In this project, the closely collaborating teams of the Universities of Bremen, Duisburg Essen, Münster and from Helmholtz Center for Geoscience (GFZ) Potsdam aim to gain insights into life under early-Earth conditions and to identify previously unknown metabolic pathways that enabled life for microorganisms during the Archean, 4,000 to 2,500 million years ago (  ).

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with expertise in organic geochemistry and microbial biogeochemistry, who is interested in research in a multi-site, interdisciplinary, and international team. The PhD will be conducted at the Faculty of Geoscience of the University of Bremen.

The specific tasks mainly include:

• Analysis of the compositional diversity of natural organic compounds (dissolved compounds and lipids) in enrichment cultures as well as in environmental samples from volcanic CO 2 vents
• Conducting stable carbon isotope tracer experiments on enrichment cultures, followed by isotopic analyses of metabolites to characterize potential new chemoautotrophic metabolic pathways
• Participation in sampling campaigns in Germany and other European countries
• Close collaboration with other internal and external members of the Archean Park project
• Interpretation of results, integration of published data, preparation of scientific manuscripts, and presentations at international conferences

• Successfully completed scientific university degree (master's/university diploma) in geosciences, chemistry, or biology
• Solid knowledge in organic geochemistry and/or microbial biogeochemistry, ideally combined with practical experience
• Experience in mass spectrometry and gas and/or liquid chromatography is desirable
• Good command over spoken and written English
• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to communicate in an international research environment

We offer:

• Annual special payment (‘year-end bonus’), regular automatic salary increases in line with collective agreements and additional public service pension scheme (VBL)
• A crisis-proof, interesting and varied job in an open-minded university
• 30 days' holiday per calendar year
• A diverse, future-orientated and open corporate culture
• Support from a collegial, motivated team with a positive working atmosphere
• Personalized induction training
• The opportunity for further and advanced training
• Compatibility of family and career through flexible working hours (‘flexitime’) and the option of mobile working (subject to the general conditions)
• Free social and family counselling services
• Active company health management, including the option of discounts at local sports clubs, gyms and swimming pools (EGYM WELLPASS)
• The option of using a job ticket for local public transport
• Numerous sports and cultural activities
• Varied catering options in the student union canteens

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