The Faculty of Natural Sciences I - Biosciences, Institute of Biology, at Martin Luther University Halle- Wittenberg is seeking a part-time (65 %) Research Assistant/ PhD Student (m-f-d) for a fixed term of 3 years, starting from 01.10.2025 or at earliest convenience. Remuneration will be determined based on job duties and responsibilities and will be aligned with the fulfill ment of listed personal requirements, up to pay grade E13 under the TV-L (Tarifvertrag für den Öffentlichen Dienst der Länder – 'German Public Service Pay Agreement for the Federal States'. The group "Evolution and Biodiversity" at MLU works on symbioses of insects, using various model systems and methodological approaches. In this DFG funded project, the aim is to comprehensively and comparatively characterize the microbial symbiont communities of psyllids (jumping plant lice). This includes genomic and metabolic approaches that will highlight host-symbiont coevolution. A particular focus will be the impact of shifts in feeding on symbiont communities. Job Responsibilities: - Planning and implementation of collection trips in Germany and abroad - Morphological and molecular identification of jumping plant lice species - Genomic characterisation of bacterial symbiont communities - Metabolomic characterisation of psyllid host plants - Bioinformatic and statistical analysis of the data obtained - Coordination of the project with project partners in Germany and abroad - Presentation of the results in the form of scientific conference contributions and publications Requirements: - M.Sc. in Biology or similar discipline - Proven experience in at least one of the following areas: molecular biology (e.g. DNA extractions, PCRs, qPCRs), bioinformatics (e.g. genome assembly, read mapping, working in a UNIX environment), entomology (e.g. taxonomic knowledge of jumping plant lice or other insect groups, experience in collecting trips) - Interest in the ecology and evolution of insect symbiosis - Very good command of written and spoken English - Ability to work in a team, initiative and communication skills We offer: - an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative work group in which diversity is an essential component of everyone’s success - an exciting project with varied methodological approaches, and lots of room for developing as a person and scientist - public service employment with remuneration according to the Tarifvertrag der Länder (TV-L) (‘Collective Agreement for the Public Service’) including an annual special payment and a company pension - 30 days of annual vacation plus additional days off on December 24 and 31 - a family-friendly, diversity-oriented, and intercultural work environment at a certified family-oriented uni versity, including holiday childcare, a health management framework to promote and maintain good health, as well as a broad university sports program - the opportunity to participate in diverse social communities (e.g. university sports teams, university choir or university orchestra) - reduced-price meals in the cafeterias of the Studentenwerk (Student Services) Halle Applications from disabled persons, including those of equal status (as certified by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit / Federal Employment Agency), will be given preferential consideration if they are equally suitable and qualified. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications from individuals of all nationalities are explicitly welcome. Applicants with a degree that was not obtained at a German university must submit a Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) (https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education) as proof of equivalence upon conclusion of the employment contract. You can find ways to apply for a financial grant for this under: https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/pro/anerkennungszuschuss.php#. If you have any questions, please contact Jun.-Prof. Dr. Michael Gerth, Email: michael.gerth@zoologie.uni-halle.de. Please send your application, including Reg. No.: 5-7588/25-D, with a CV and letter of motivation until 18.08.2025 via email to Prof. Dr. Michael Gerth, Email: michael.gerth@zoologie.uni-halle.de This job posting is subject to potential budgetary restrictions. Application costs will not be reimbursed by Martin Luther University. Application documents will only be returned if a sufficiently stamped envelope is enclosed. Electronic applications are welcome. ----- The Faculty of Natural Sciences I - Biosciences, Institute of Biology, at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg is seeking a part-time (65 %) PhD Student (m-f-d) for a fixed term of 3 years, starting from 01.10.2025, or at earliest convenience. Remuneration will be determined based on job duties and responsibilities and will be aligned with the fulfillment of listed personal requirements, up to pay grade E13 under the TV-L (Tarifvertrag für den Öffentlichen Dienst der Länder – 'German Public Service Pay Agreement for the Federal States'. The group "Evolution and Biodiversity" at MLU works on symbioses of insects, using various model systems and methodological approaches. In this DFG funded project, the aim is to characterize newly discovered Spiroplasma endosymbionts from Neotropical Drosophila flies. In particular, we want to determine in what way the symbionts impact host biology, and how they evolve on a genomic level to adapt to novel host species. Job Responsibilities: - Culturing of various Drosophila species - Performing of life history experiments with Drosophila - Symbiont transfer between Drosophila species through microinjections - Bacterial genome sequencing, assembly, and bioinformatic anaylses of genomic data - Symbiont detecting via PCRs & qPCRs - Presentation of the results in the form of scientific conference contributions and publications Requirements: - Completed university degree (M.Sc./Diplom) in Biology or similar discipline - Proven experience in at least one of the following areas: work with Drosophila (culturing, crossing, experimental approaches), molecular biology (e.g. DNA extractions, PCRs, qPCRs), bioinformatics (e.g. genome assembly, read mapping, working in a UNIX environment). - Interest in the ecology and evolution of insect symbiosis - Very good command of written and spoken English - Ability to work in a team, initiative and communication skills We offer: - an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative work group in which diversity is an essential component of everyone’s success - an exciting project with varied methodological approaches, and lots of room for developing as a person and scientist - public service employment with remuneration according to the Tarifvertrag der Länder (TV-L) (‘Collective Agreement for the Public Service’) including an annual special payment and a company pension 30 days of annual vacation plus additional days off on December 24 and 31 - a family-friendly, diversity-oriented, and intercultural work environment at a certified family-oriented university, including holiday childcare - a health management framework to promote and maintain good health, as well as a broad university sports program - the opportunity to participate in diverse social communities (e.g. university sports teams, university choir or university orchestra) - reduced-price meals in the cafeterias of the Studentenwerk (Student Services) Halle Applications from disabled persons, including those of equal status (as certified by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit / Federal Employment Agency), will be given preferential consideration if they are equally suitable and qualified. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications from individuals of all nationalities are explicitly welcome. Applicants with a degree that was not obtained at a German university must submit a Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) (https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education) as proof of equivalence upon conclusion of the employment contract. You can find ways to apply for a financial grant for this under: https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/pro/anerkennungszuschuss.php#. If you have any questions, please contact Jun.-Prof. Dr. Michael Gerth, Email:michael.gerth@zoologie.uni-halle.de. Please send your application, including Reg. No.: 5-7589/25-D, with a CV and letter of motivation until 18.08.2025 via email to Prof. Dr. Michael Gerth, Email: michael.gerth@zoologie.uni-halle.de. This job posting is subject to potential budgetary restrictions. Application costs will not be reimbursed by Martin Luther University. Application documents will only be returned if a sufficiently stamped envelope is enclosed. Electronic applications are welcome. Michael Gerth (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)