Bioinformatician Phylogenomics (m/f/d)

The Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (www.dsmz.de ) is establishing an integrated suite of scientific databases of fundamental importance for the life sciences. The databases include BRENDA, SILVA, BacDive, LPSN and TYGS, which are being developed in a highly coordinated manner. The resulting data platform, DSMZ Digital Diversity , will provide an integrated resource and allow the linking and comprehensive analysis of different types of scientific data from all areas of life sciences. Among the databases involved, TYGS is a state-of-the-art platform for prokaryotic genome-based taxonomy.

Bioinformatician Phylogenomics (m/f/d)

The position is paid at TV-L 13 and is initially limited to 2 years with a view to becoming permanent. The position is offered on a full-time basis (39.8 hours per week) and is not appropriate for part time work.

The highly popular Type (Strain) Genome Server TYGS is a user-friendly, high-throughput web server providing genome-based species and subspecies delineation, automatic determination of closest relatives, phylogenomic analysis, interactive visualisation of trees, and comprehensive access to taxonomic and nomenclatural information, strongly linked to the LPSN and other DSMZ databases.

As a member of the team, you will have primary responsibility for the TYGS high throughput genome analysis pipelines, databases and web facilities. In particular, you will be responsible for further optimising the performance of all components involved, adding features that further integrate TYGS into the DSMZ Digital Diversity, and further improving the user experience. The position is intended to be a central knowledge hub for genome-based taxonomy at DSMZ and beyond.

Your responsibilities:

• Benchmark and identify state-of-the-art phylogenomics tools for integration into TYGS
• Optimize the performance of TYGS database and pipelines and add functionality
• Extend the TYGS web interface to add new features, improve usability, and connect to other DSMZ Digital Diversity databases
• Respond to user queries within the TYGS helpdesk
• Provide feedback to nomenclature experts in the LPSN team
• Present results in workshops and liaise with user communities
• Publish results

You offer:

• PhD, Masters or Diploma in Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Biology, Computer Science, or equivalent
• Significant programming experience in compiled languages, scripting languages and relational databases
• Strong experience in high-throughput or high-performance computing
• Strong experience in computational analysis of genome sequences
• Strong understanding of software architecture and version control
• Fluency in English
• Programming experience in Java, Ruby, R, PostgreSQL or Bash is an advantage
• Experience in phylogenetics, taxonomy or microbiology is a plus
• Proven ability to write scientific publications is a plus
• German language skills are a plus

We offer:

• An interdisciplinary working environment with frequent sharing of experience
• Direct involvement in building a research data infrastructure
• Motivated colleagues and a pleasant working atmosphere in a scientific environment
• Development and support of scientific web services at the DSMZ
• Plenty of room for creativity & challenging topics
• Participation in the selection of personal hardware
• Opportunities for further education and training
• A certified employer according to audit berufundfamilie®, therefore flexible possibilities to combine work and family life

The position is located in Braunschweig, Germany.

The DSMZ is funded by the State of Lower Saxony and the Federal Government and is a member of the Leibniz Association. The DSMZ is committed to increasing the proportion of female scientists and encourages female candidates to apply. Preference will be given to candidates with disabilities who have the same professional and personal qualifications.

Applicants must provide proof of equivalence with a German degree in the case of foreign degrees. Further information can be found on the website of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).

The DSMZ is an equal opportunities employer, supports a reasonable work/life balance and has been awarded the berufundfamilie® audit certificate.

For further information, please contact Markus Göker (markus.goeker(at)dsmz.de ) or Boyke Bunk (boyke.bunk(at)dsmz.de ). Please send your complete application documents including CV, letter of motivation, summary of master’s/diploma/doctoral thesis, copies of certificates and publication list with the application number 02/24 as a single pdf file to bewerbung(at)dsmz.de (max. 10 MB).

Applications may be submitted in English or German. The deadline for this application is 29.02.2024, but we may continue to review applications until the position is filled.