Erstellt am 29. Juli 2026
Postdoctoral position (m/f/d) in One Health surveillance of microbiome transmission at the human-wildlife interface (Leipzig, Germany)
Max-Planck-Institut für evolutionäre Anthropologie
München, Bayern 80331, Germany
Vollzeit
Reference: 1093890942
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Postdoctoral position (m/f/d) in One Health surveillance of microbiome transmission at the human-wildlife interface (Leipzig, Germany)
The Project and Setting
The Tana River region in Kenya is home to agrarian, pastoralist, and fishing communities as well as a high diversity of wildlife, including several endemic and critically endangered primates. As part of a collaboration between the Kenya Institute of Primate Research (KIPRE) and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, we seek a motivated postdoctoral researcher to investigate how interactions between humans, livestock, and wildlife influence the sharing and transmission of microbes in this ecosystem.
Position and Perspective
This two-year postdoctoral position is funded by Germany's Max Planck-Humboldt Research Unit in Africa initiative. Pending successful evaluation by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the successful applicant will be based at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA) in Leipzig, Germany, under the supervision of Dr. Reena Debray (Group Leader, Social Microbiome) and Prof. Jenny Tung (Director, Department of Primate Behavior and Evolution).
Travel to support collaboration with the Max Planck-Humboldt Group in Kenya, under the direction of Dr. Mercy Akinyi (KIPRE), and/or local or international scientific conferences are an additional possibility during this two-year period. This position is explicitly designed to foster long-term scientific capacity building in the region. We especially welcome candidates who are committed to establishing a long-term research presence in Kenya and continuing collaboration with the KIPRE-based Max Planck-Humboldt Group beyond the initial two-year funding period, subject to available funds.
Key responsibilities
Then we look forward to receiving your application! Please upload your complete application documents, including cover letter, CV and relevant references, to our application tool via the link below.
The application deadline is August 31, 2026.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Our Commitment to Diversity
The Max Planck Society and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to strengthening scientific capacity on the African continent. In line with these goals, applications from African scientists and researchers from underrepresented backgrounds in global genomics are explicitly and strongly encouraged.
The Max Planck Society is committed to equal opportunities and to employing individuals with disabilities and explicitly encourages them to apply.
We look forward to receiving your completed online application under
We look forward to receiving your completed .
Further information on the research agenda of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology is available on our website:
Postdoctoral position (m/f/d) in One Health surveillance of microbiome transmission at the human-wildlife interface (Leipzig, Germany)
The Project and Setting
The Tana River region in Kenya is home to agrarian, pastoralist, and fishing communities as well as a high diversity of wildlife, including several endemic and critically endangered primates. As part of a collaboration between the Kenya Institute of Primate Research (KIPRE) and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, we seek a motivated postdoctoral researcher to investigate how interactions between humans, livestock, and wildlife influence the sharing and transmission of microbes in this ecosystem.
Position and Perspective
This two-year postdoctoral position is funded by Germany's Max Planck-Humboldt Research Unit in Africa initiative. Pending successful evaluation by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the successful applicant will be based at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA) in Leipzig, Germany, under the supervision of Dr. Reena Debray (Group Leader, Social Microbiome) and Prof. Jenny Tung (Director, Department of Primate Behavior and Evolution).
Travel to support collaboration with the Max Planck-Humboldt Group in Kenya, under the direction of Dr. Mercy Akinyi (KIPRE), and/or local or international scientific conferences are an additional possibility during this two-year period. This position is explicitly designed to foster long-term scientific capacity building in the region. We especially welcome candidates who are committed to establishing a long-term research presence in Kenya and continuing collaboration with the KIPRE-based Max Planck-Humboldt Group beyond the initial two-year funding period, subject to available funds.
Key responsibilities
- Generate and analyze metagenomic data from humans, wild primates, livestock, water, and soil to track the rates, directionality, and sources of human-wildlife microbiome transmission.
- Annotate candidate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes to understand potential consequences of inter-species microbiome transmission for human and wildlife health.
- Collaborate with researchers studying socio-cultural practices in human households to identify patterns that may contribute to microbiome and AMR spread in the Tana River ecosystem.
- Lead and contribute to publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Ph.D. completed or expected soon in biology, ecology, genomics, or a related field.
- Experience with bioinformatic tools such as R, Python, and/or bash. Experience analyzing high-throughput sequencing data is especially advantageous.
- Experience publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Working proficiency in English and a strong motivation for teamwork in an international group.
- Strongly desired: Familiarity with the socio-cultural context of the Tana River region or East Africa, and existing networks within local communities or Kenyan research permit-granting agencies. Proficiency in Swahili or local languages is highly advantageous.
- A 2-year research stipend funded through the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation
- Additional benefits such as a travel allowance, a mobility allowance, and a subsidy for health and liability insurance, provided the respective eligibility requirements are met
- An exciting and rewarding job in a young, scientifically oriented, international team in one of the most renowned research institutions in Leipzig
- Access to state-of-the-art scientific infrastructure
- Targeted and individual mentoring
- A structured training program with a flexible range of courses in addition to research on the project
- Excellent quality of life in Leipzig, including extensive green spaces, public transport options, and support from a dedicated International Office
Then we look forward to receiving your application! Please upload your complete application documents, including cover letter, CV and relevant references, to our application tool via the link below.
The application deadline is August 31, 2026.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Our Commitment to Diversity
The Max Planck Society and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to strengthening scientific capacity on the African continent. In line with these goals, applications from African scientists and researchers from underrepresented backgrounds in global genomics are explicitly and strongly encouraged.
The Max Planck Society is committed to equal opportunities and to employing individuals with disabilities and explicitly encourages them to apply.
We look forward to receiving your completed online application under
We look forward to receiving your completed .
Further information on the research agenda of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology is available on our website:
