Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/div) in Natural Product Chemistry

The Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) investigates the pathobiology of human-pathogenic fungi and identifies targets for the development of novel natural product-based antibiotics. The junior research group Metabolomics-guided Natural Product Discovery invites candidates to apply for a two-year position.

Research area: Natural products, especially of bacterial origin, are an important source of new antibiotics. These metabolites play significant roles in microbial interactions and communication. The project investigates interactions in the bryophyte (moss) microbiome using metabolomics approaches to identify novel natural products. The candidate will assist in isolation and purification of natural products, structural elucidation using NMR, and potentially chemical synthesis. Involvement in biosynthetic pathways and enzyme characterization is required.

The position starts in November 2025 (negotiable) and is supported by the Free State of Thuringia and the European Social Fund Plus.

Your profile:

• Doctoral degree in chemistry or life sciences (e.g., natural product chemistry, organic chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry).
• Experience in natural product isolation and characterization, including NMR.
• Experience in biosynthetic pathways and enzymes.
• Experience in synthetic chemistry, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and metabolomics is a plus.
• Very good communication skills in English.
• Collaborative skills and team spirit.

We offer: The successful candidate will be hosted in the Metabolomics-guided Natural Product Discovery group. The Leibniz-HKI provides state-of-the-art facilities, a committed team, and strong collaborations. Salary is according to German TV-L.

For further information: Dr. Jethro Hemmann | +49 3641 532-1478 | career@leibniz-hki.de

Application: Complete applications in English should include a cover letter, CV, statement of research experiences, certificates, and addresses of two referees. Submit via the Leibniz-HKI online application system. Deadline: August 24, 2025.