PhD Position in PhD5.1 Multistress

University of Gottingen

At the University of Göttingen -Public Law Foundation-, DNPW - Abt. Pflanzenkrankheiten und Pflanzenschutz, there is a position as

PhD position (all genders welcome)
Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L/65%

to be filled. Starting date is 4/1/2026. The position is limited to 03/31/2030.

Employment is subject to the final approval of project funding.

Participation in the research project:
“PhD5.1 MultiStress – Combined effects of Setosphaeria turcica and abiotic stresses on maize genotypes”

Within the DFG-funded research project MultiStress, you will have the opportunity to investigate the interactions between plant diseases and environmental stress in maize cultivation. The focus lies on the leaf disease Northern corn leaf blight, caused by the fungus Setosphaeria turcica, which leads to substantial yield losses worldwide. You will study how infections with S. turcica under various abiotic stress conditions – particularly drought and nitrogen deficiency – affect maize yield, quality, and disease development.

Your work will include field and greenhouse experiments as well as laboratory analyses, where you will study physiological and biochemical processes in detail. A special focus will be on collaboration with research partners in Kenya, where parallel field trials are conducted. Research stays in Kenya will offer you valuable international experience within a globally relevant research context.

MultiStress is a DFG Research Unit and brings together the expertise of several crop science departments in an interdisciplinary collaboration. You will work within an engaged, international team on scientifically and societally relevant questions to improve the stress and disease resistance of maize – at the interface of plant physiology, pathology, and sustainable agriculture.

Your Tasks

• Independent planning, preparation, execution, and analysis of molecular genetic and phytopathological experiments
• Conducting field and greenhouse experiments with maize in Germany and Kenya
• Preparation, cultivation, and maintenance of fungal isolates
• Sampling and processing of plant material for stress parameter analyses
• Application of microbiological and molecular biological techniques as well as microscopic analyses
• Contribution to genome sequencing and support in bioinformatic analyses
• Data collection, processing, and statistical evaluation of experimental results
• Willingness to travel, especially for research stays in Kenya
• Literature research and preparation of scientific reports and presentations

The position also offers the opportunity for scientific qualification within a doctoral program (PhD).

Your Profile

• Completed university degree in Agricultural Sciences, Biology, Plant Sciences, or a related field
• Experience in microbiological and phytopathological laboratory techniques
• Strong interest in plant pathology and plant breeding
• Basic experience with maize, laboratory, or field experiments is an advantage
• Careful and well-structured working style with strong organizational skills and sense of responsibility
• Ability to work in a team, flexibility, and self-initiative
• Excellent English language skills
• Valid driver’s license (class B) required

The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply in fields in which they are underrepresented. The university has committed itself to being a family-friendly institution and supports their employees in balancing work and family life. The University is particularly committed to the professional participation of severely disabled employees and therefore welcomes applications from severely disabled people. In the case of equal qualifications, applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preference. A disability or equality is to be included in the application in order to protect the interests of the applicant.

Please upload your application in one pdf file including the usual documents until 1/26/2026 on the application portal of the university using this link: http://obp.uni-goettingen.de/de-de/OBF/Index/76182. For more information get in touch with Annette Pfordt directly via E-Mail: annette.pfordt@uni-goettingen.de, Tel. +49 0551 3929726.

Please note:
With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in terms of data-protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the Information General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)