Junior Group Leader to head a group on Causal Inference

The Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany, connects people and ideas, science and economy, institutions of higher education and external research organizations. Being rooted in the heart of Germany and having worldwide bonds, the university, covering all disciplines, characterizes the city of Jena as a future-oriented and cosmopolitan location together with its partners.

The Cluster of Excellence “Balance of the Microverse” (microverse-cluster.de) of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena combines expertise in life, material, optical and computational sciences to elevate microbiome studies from descriptive to hypothesis-driven and functional analyses. Our core mission is to elucidate fundamental principles of the interactions and functions in microbial communities in diverse habitats ranging from oceans and groundwater to plant and human hosts. We aim to identify the shared characteristics of disturbed or polluted ecosystems as well as infectious diseases on the microbiome level, and develop strategies for their remediation by targeted interventions. Our full spectrum of expertise in the physical and life sciences will be leveraged to address these important issues in natural habitats as well as synthetic arenas in a collaborative manner. Data sciences seem promising for tackling many of the research questions in this context.

The Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse invites applications for a

Junior Group Leader

to head a group on

Causal Inference

The group will be part of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and will be associated with the Michael-Stifel-Center Jena for data-driven and simulation science (mscj.uni-jena.de).

The concerted efforts in the Cluster generate a diversity of genetic, metabolic and imaging data from microbial consortia in various habitats. The successful candidate will focus on the development of methods and tools for the identification of cause-effect relations. The approaches should be geared towards the needs of the Cluster and should be applied first to well-defined microbial model systems and subsequently extended towards the integrative analysis of multimodal data. The successful candidate will contribute to the structured doctoral training program in close cooperation with the Jena School for Microbial Communication. The position may further involve teaching in relevant degree programs.

We expect:

• A PhD (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Bioinformatics or closely related fields
• A strong research track in causal inference or closely related topics
• A track record in successful interdisciplinary cooperation or a demonstrated willingness and ability to work in such a setting. Preferably, prior experience in working with the subject areas present in the Cluster
• The ability to work creatively and independently towards developing your own research group
• An integrative and cooperative personality with enthusiasm for actively participating in the dynamic Microverse community
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and spoken

We offer:

• A highly communicative atmosphere within a scientific network providing top-level research facilities
• Funding to build a group with a postdoc and a PhD student in addition to the group head
• Attractive staff benefits, for instance, contributions to the employee savings plan, season ticket loans for public transport, pension scheme (VBL)
• A university scheme for promoting your health and well-being, and a family-friendly working environment with flexible working options
• Remuneration in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) depending on the personal qualifications up to salary scale E15

The full-time junior group leader position is initially limited to five years; an extension might be possible subject to availability of funds. The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is an equal opportunity employer and part-time contracts can be discussed. Disabled persons with comparable qualifications will receive preferential status.

For further information please contact Prof. Birgitta König-Ries (birgitta.koenig-ries@uni-jena.de)

Applications in English should comprise a cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae, copies of academic certificates, research agenda, a list of publications with selected reprints, a list of successful grant applications and a description of teaching experience. Please submit your application as a single PDF document via email attachment - using the vacancy id 216/2019 - to microverse@uni-jena.de.

Application deadline: 23 September 2019

For further information for applicants, please also refer to: www.uni-jena.de/stellenmarkt_hinweis.html For information on collecting personal data, please refer to: www.uni-jena.de/Universität/Stellenmarkt/Datenschutzhinweis.html