2026 Max Planck Institute Postdoctoral Researcher in Ancient Metagenomics and Microbiome Sciences

The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVA) brings together scientists from diverse backgrounds (natural sciences and humanities) with the aim of investigating the history of humankind from an interdisciplinary perspective using comparative analyses of genes, cultures, cognitive abilities, languages and social systems of past and present human populations, as well as those of primates closely related to humans.

The Cluster of Excellence “Balance of the Microverse” studies the fundamental principles underlying microbial community interactions and functions in diverse habitats, ranging from oceans and groundwater to plants and human hosts. We integrate insights across ecological and medical fields to enhance our understanding of microbial balance from the molecular to the ecosystem level. We develop tools and detection technologies to shape microbiome dynamics for environmental and human health benefits. The affiliated early career program of the Jena School for Microbial Communication offers an ambitious, structured and interdisciplinary post-graduate training based on top-level fundamental research.

As a member of the Cluster of Excellence “Balance of the Microverse”, the research group of Prof. Christina Warinner at the Department of Archaeogenetics invites applications for the position of a Postdoctoral Researcher in Ancient Metagenomics and Microbiome Sciences. The position will commence on March 1, 2026, or upon agreement. We offer a full-time position (100%, 39 hours per week) in the Microbiome Sciences Research Group at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, offered as a fixed-term position for 2 years.

This postdoc project will apply ancient metagenomics to investigate the evolution and ecology of ancient oral microbiota, specifically by exploring aspects of phylogenetic and functional diversity in poorly studied oral microbial clades with the aim of understanding how microbes establish in new oral habitats. The postdoc will work under the supervision of Prof. Christina Warinner within a broader team of postdocs and students exploring ancient microbial biodiversity and function.

Your responsibilities:

• Perform data analysis of large-scale metagenomic datasets derived from both modern and ancient microbiome sources to test questions relating to microbiome evolution and ecological change through time
• Work as part of a broader team and independently towards your postdoctoral research project
• Analyse project results, generate figures for publications, and write scientific manuscripts for publication
• Present your results at local, national, and international meetings and conferences
• Work closely together with other experimental and computational researchers in the research group and within the Cluster
• Assist with training and supervising other researchers (e.g. doctoral candidates, MSc students)
• Contribute to the friendly, welcoming, and collaborative environment in our team

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJanuary 20, 2026
• Study LevelPostdoctoral Fellowships
• SponsorMax Planck Institute
• City to studyThuringia
• School to studyUniversity of Jena
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• A highly communicative atmosphere within an energetic and interdisciplinary scientific network
• The Jena School for Microbial Communication offers a structured and interdisciplinary training program based on top-level fundamental research and provides comprehensive mentoring programs and soft skills courses for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers
• Leipzig – a young and lively city with a vibrant local cultural agenda
• A dedicated management team, providing support and information on non-scientific subjects, such as onboarding and family life, and organizing individualized career development programs, and events on topics like diversity and collaboration
• Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TVöD Bund) at salary scale E13 — depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications—, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement

The 2 year postdoctoral researcher position (TVöD Bund E13, 100%) is funded through the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments. The employment contract will be with the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Part-time employment can be discussed.
To promote gender equality in science, applications by women are particularly welcome. Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

Requirements

• A PhD in biological sciences, bioinformatics, microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a closely related discipline. Candidates in the final stages of obtaining their PhD are encouraged to apply
• Computational experience with analyzing microbial metagenomic datasets is required. Desired methodological skills include: experience with metagenomic taxonomic profiling, phylogenetic analysis, metagenomic assembly, and pangenome analysis. Experience with pipeline utilization, such as implementing snakemake and nextflow pipelines, is desired
• The project will require computational proficiency with genetic data, including ability to script in R and/or Python 
• A high level of curiosity, self-motivation, enthusiasm and attention to detail 
• A cooperative personality actively seeking to contribute to our interdisciplinary and inclusive Microverse community 
• Very good written and spoken English communication skills

Are you hesitating because you don't meet one or some of our requirements? Please do not hesitate to apply and give us a chance to get to know you.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• Apply by 20 January 2026, or until the position is filled, using the online Microverse application portal of Friedrich Schiller University Jena.

For more information, kindly visit University of Jena scholarship webpage.