Research Assistant (PhD position) in Organic Geochemistry – Archean Park (University of Bremen / MARUM)

Job title

Research Assistant (PhD position) in Organic Geochemistry – ERC Synergy Project "Archean Park".

Company

MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen.

Description of the job

MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen is offering a PhD position within the research group Organic Geochemistry, as part of the EU-funded ERC Synergy Project "Archean Park". The position is available from May 1st, 2026 at the earliest, limited until April 30th, 2030, with 75% of the regular weekly working hours (29.4 hours), classified at German pay scale E 13 TV-L.

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. Doctoral researchers at MARUM 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, including a training curriculum with subject-specific and competency courses as well as soft-skill training.

In the Archean Park 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. The PhD will be conducted at the Faculty of Geoscience of the University of Bremen.

Specific Tasks:

• Analysis of the compositional diversity of natural organic compounds (dissolved compounds and lipids) in enrichment cultures as well as in environmental samples from volcanic CO2 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.

What We Offer:

• Annual special payment ('year-end bonus'), regular automatic salary increases in line with collective agreements and additional public service pension scheme (VBL).
• 30 days' holiday per calendar year.
• A diverse, future-orientated and open corporate culture with support from a collegial, motivated team.
• Personalized induction training and the opportunity for further and advanced training.
• Compatibility of family and career through flexible working hours ('flexitime') and the option of mobile working.
• Free social and family counselling services.
• Active company health management, including discounts at local sports clubs, gyms and swimming pools (EGYM WELLPASS).
• The option of using a job ticket for local public transport.

Requirements

• 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.
• Good command over spoken and written English.
• Ability to work in a team and to communicate in an international research environment.

Desirable:

• Experience in mass spectrometry and gas and/or liquid chromatography.

Location

Bremen, Germany.

Salary

Not specified. 

How to apply

Please send your application with complete documents (cover letter, CV, copies of transcripts and qualification certificates, statement of research interests in the context of the project, master thesis, and contact information of two references) quoting the reference number A021-26 until March 19th, 2026 as a single PDF file by e-mail to bewerbung-a02126marum.de, or by mail to Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Hinrichs, MARUM – Universität Bremen, Leobener Str. 8, 28359 Bremen. For questions about the position, contact Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Hinrichs (phone +49 421-218-65700) or Dr. Florence Schubotz (phone +49 421-218-65724).

Deadline

19/03/2026.

Disclaimer

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