The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut is a world leading research institute in the fields of animal diseases, animal welfare, animal husbandry, animal nutrition, and livestock genetics. It is part of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and provides advice and expertise to the German government in these areas.

For the Institute of Epidemiology, the full-time position of a

Postdoctoral Researcher (full-time, m/f/d)

is available at the FLI headquarters located in Greifswald, on the island of Riems, starting as soon as possible. The position is initially limited until 31 December 2028, subject to approval by the EU (Horizon Europe), as part of the project: “Advanced tools for DIVA, Environmental surveillance, and Pathogen Tracking across species” (ADEPT).

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will assume scientific responsibility for the project. The main areas of focus include:

• Development of peptide libraries for ruminant-infecting and Culicoides-borne viruses, with a focus on BTV serology, using a Protein Language Model (PLM) pipeline.
• Development and optimisation of multiplexed serological assays based on these libraries for characterising immune responses in cattle and sheep infected with or vaccinated against BTV.
• Collaboration with national and international partners in the application of these assays, supporting the design and analysis of epidemiological studies on immune responses to BTV infections and vaccinations, with a focus on DIVA strategy development.

Requirements:

• Completed university degree in a relevant life-science discipline (e.g. veterinary medicine, biology, bioinformatics, or related fields)
• PhD in immunology, epidemiology, virology, or a related discipline.
• Experience in laboratory-based serology and immunological techniques.
• Familiarity with bioinformatics workflows and proficiency in at least one relevant programming language for the analyses of NGS and/or protein sequence data.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English

Desirable Skills:

• Experience contributing to epidemiological or field-based studies, involving livestock or veterinary virology.
• Familiarity with peptide library design, protein sequence analysis, or advanced bioinformatics tools.
• Understanding of immune dynamics at the population level, particularly focussing on B cell immunity and serological responses to infection and vaccination.
• Experience in training, supervising, or mentoring students or early-career researchers (e.g., Master’s or PhD level).

Motivation, a proactive and reliable work ethic, strong organisational skills, as well as excellent communication and teamwork abilities are required.

The position involves working in a bio-secure area, which necessitates a security clearance in accordance with the German Security Clearance Act (SÜG) and special protective measures against health hazards. Therefore, personal and health suitability are prerequisites for filling the position.

In addition to an interesting and varied scientific role in a highly motivated international environment, we offer employment according to the German Collective Agreement for the Public Sector (TVöD). Classification will be based on the fulfillment of the collective agreement requirements, up to pay group 14 TVöD, Eastern region.

Our institute is committed to providing a family-friendly work environment with flexible working hours and the option of part-time employment. Our employee benefits include a company health and reintegration management program, social counselling, a pension plan, and asset-building benefits. All our locations are connected to public transport.

We are part of a diverse and cosmopolitan community. The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut is committed to fostering inclusion. Applications from people with severe disabilities are therefore expressly encouraged. They will be given preferential consideration in the selection process.

In line with our international focus, we welcome applications from people of all nationalities and ethnic backgrounds.

For further information, please contact Dr. Dr. Hannes Bergmann, phone: +49 (0) 38351/ 7-1896, E-Mail: hannes.bergmann@~@fli.de

We look forward to receiving your application. Please send your meaningful and complete documents as a PDF file by 12 March 2026, with the subject line "Stelle 017/26" via email to 017.26@~@fli.de.

Alternatively, you can post your application package by regular mail to: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Referat Personal, Postfach 1318 in 17466 Greifswald - Insel Riems. Please note that incomplete documents may lead to exclusion from the application process.

An acknowledgment of receipt and further communication during the application process will be sent via email. Please check your spam filter settings!