Postdoc in coral population genomics and conservation genetics (x/d/f/m)
Background
The Marine Conservation group of Dr. Iliana Baums (www.baumslab.org),
Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB), seeks
a postdoc to study population genomics and conservation genetics of
reef-building corals in the Caribbean. HIFMB is
a cooperation between the University of Oldenburg
(UOL) and the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and
Marine Research (AWI) and has strong ties to regional institutions,
including the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology (Bremen),
MARUM (University of Bremen), and the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine
Research (Bremen). HIFMB is located in Oldenburg, Northern Germany, a
hub for environmental and marine research. The institute brings together
experts from 18 countries and provides state-of-the-art wet-lab and
computational facilities.
Your Tasks
* Generate and analyze genomic data for reef-building corals,
including eukaryotic genome assembly and annotation, population
genomics, quantitative genetics, epigenetics, and gene
expression analyses
* Use population genomic approaches to estimate population
structure, history and introgression
* Use quantitative genetic approaches to estimate responses to
selection model alternative conservation genetic strategies such
as assisted gene flow and selective breeding
* Extract and sequence coral DNA and RNA
* Plan, execute, interpret, document, and troubleshoot
independent research
* Collaborate effectively with computational and experimental
team members
* Mentor junior lab members
* Contribute to manuscripts, grant proposals and reports, and
communicate results to peers and the public through presentations,
writing, and digital media
* Engage in professional development and acquire new skills as
needed
* Conduct work in both laboratory and field settings
Your Profile
* PhD in marine biology, bioinformatics, genetics, molecular
ecology, or a related field
* Strong background in population genetic theory
* Proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g.,
Python) and in R
* Willingness and ability to work in both lab and field environments
* Very good English knowledge (approximately equivalent to CEFR
level C1)
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
* Experience with system administration
* Experience making code and data openly available via
repositories/databases (e.g., GitHub, NCBI)
Further Information
* Contact in day-to-day work: collaboration mainly with more
than 5 people
* Communication: almost equal share (internal/external) in the
following ways
1. By telephone: occasionally (several times a month)
2. E-mail: frequently (daily or several times a week)
3. Video conferencing (e. g. Webex): frequently (daily or several
times a week)
4. Personal contact in presence: frequently (daily or several
times a week)
* Movement around the workplace: regularly over longer distances
(e.g. other buildings)
* Business trips: occasional (several times a year)
* Expeditions: occur
Please note that the general conditions listed serve as a guide and may
vary depending on the specific area of application.
For further information on the specific position, please reach out
to Prof Dr Iliana Baums (iliana.baums@hifmb.de; +49 (471)4831-2536).
If you have any general questions about the application process, our
Recruiting team will be glad to support you - please contact Sarah
Palme (bewerbungsmanagement@awi.de; +49(471)4831-1853) In this overview
you will find further contact persons for various matters.
This is a full-time position, limited to January 31st, 2029. It is also
suitable for part-time employment. The salary will be paid in accordance
with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation
(Tarifvertrag des �ffentlichen Dienstes, TV�D Bund), up to salary
level 13. The place of employment will be Oldenburg.
All postdocs will register with AWI's postdoc office PROCEED
and thus gain access to a set of tailor-made career development tools.
The AWI is characterized by
* Our scientific success - excellent research
* Collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and
international, interdisciplinary
* Opportunities to develop - on the job and towards other positions
* An international environment - everyday contact with people from
all over the world
* Flexible working hours
* Health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
* Support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
* Occupational pension provision (VBL)
AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an
open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are
convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our
work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and
reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and
feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people
regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic
and social background, religion, age, disabilities, neurodivergence,
sexual orientation, and other identities.
Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal
qualifications are present. AWI fosters work-family compatibility
in various ways. As a new international member of our team,
you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our Family Office
and International Office
will be glad to support you, even before you start at AWI. We look
forward to your application! Please submit your application online
only by February 22nd, 2026. We kindly ask you to apply in English. No
photo is required - we value your qualifications and experience.
Please include the following application materials:
* Two-page cover letter addressing: (a) motivation to join the
Marine Conservation group, (b) past research, (c) future research
plans, and (d) qualifications for the position
* CV (include a brief description of your role in each peer-reviewed
publication)
* Three reference letters
* Academic transcripts
* Degree certificates
Reference number: 26/10/G/HIFMB-b
While remote work is possible to the extent permitted, the primary
residence of the postdoc will have to be in Germany. International
applicants welcome.
Iliana Baums, Phd Professor and group leader, Marine Conservation Vice
Director, HIFMB
Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University
of Oldenburg [HIFMB], Im Technologiepark 5, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz-Centre for Polar and Marine Research
[AWI], Bremerhaven, 27570, Germany
Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM),
School of Mathematics and Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universit�t
Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
Iliana.baums@hifmb.de
Fon: +49 471 4831-2543
Web: Thebaumslab.org
X: @iliana.baums
"Baums, Iliana B"
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