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City:  Aachen
Date:  Jul 21, 2025

Postdoctoral Researcher - Industrial Biotechnology / Metabolic Engineering of Clostridia

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.com) currently operates 76 institutes and research units throughout Germany and is a leading applied research organization. Around 32 000 employees work with an annual research budget of 3.4 billion euros. 

The Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME conducts applied life sciences from the molecule to the ecosystem. It is our vision to pave the way to a sustainable future through applied life sciences.

 

The Industrial Biotechnology Department, headed by Dr. Stefan Jennewein, at the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) in Aachen, is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our team in ongoing and future projects on syngas fermentation with Clostridia. Our research focuses on Clostridium carboxidivorans and Clostridium ljungdahlii, for which we have already established robust genetic and process engineering platforms. The following publications illustrate the potential and direction of our work:

 

  • Lauer et al. (2022): Metabolic engineering of Clostridium ljungdahlii for the sustainable production of hexanol and butanol from CO₂ and H₂, Microb. Cell Fact. 21:85
  • Kottenhahn et al. (2021): Hexanol biosynthesis from syngas by Clostridium carboxidivorans P7 is enhanced by in-line extraction with a biocompatible solvent to avoid product toxicity, Heliyon 7:e07732
  • Philipps et al. (2019): Development of a metabolic pathway transfer and genomic integration system for the syngas-fermenting bacterium Clostridium ljungdahlii, Biotechnol. Biofuels 12:112

 

What you will do

  • Cloning and construction of expression systems
  • Metabolic flux analysis for pathway characterization and optimization
  • Development and operation of continuous fermentation processes under strict anaerobic conditions
  • Strategic contribution to platform development for metabolic engineering

 

What you bring to the table

  • PhD in biotechnology, microbiology, molecular biology, or a related field
  • Experience working with strict anaerobes, ideally with Clostridia
  • Strong hands-on skills in molecular biology and genetic engineering of microorganisms
  • Interest in applied research at the interface of synthetic biology, systems biology, and process development
  • Independent, solution-oriented work ethic and strong team spirit
  • German language skills are not required; working language can be English

 

What you can expect

  • A vibrant and innovative research environment at one of Europe’s leading applied research organizations
  • Participation in interdisciplinary projects on sustainable bioconversion of syngas and CO₂
  • Access to modern laboratories, including fully equipped anaerobic workstations and continuous bioreactor systems
  • A collaborative team atmosphere with flat hierarchies
  • Opportunities for professional and personal development

 

Remuneration up to TVöD pay group 13, with a maximum monthly gross amount of 6,800 euros (dependent on qualifications).

 

The weekly working time is 39 hours. We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

 

 

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. 

 

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!

 

For questions regarding the position, please contact:
Dr. Stefan Jennewein
Head of Industrial Biotechnology Department
Fraunhofer IME, Aachen
E-Mail: stefan.jennewein@ime.fraunhofer.de


 

Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Division Molecular Biotechnology 

www.ime.fraunhofer.de 

 

Requisition Number: 80353               

 


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