"PhD Student (f/m/div) in Plant Biology"

The Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) strives for excellence in horticultural research and related plant, environmental, and social sciences. Based in Großbeeren, close to Potsdam and Berlin, IGZ is a member of the Leibniz Association (WGL). Our mission is to provide science-based solutions that address four challenges currently threatening horticultural systems: climate change, biodiversity and pesticide reduction, healthy nutrition and food quality, and resource-efficient agricultural and food systems. Our scientific expertise covers the entire spectrum from molecular plant physiology and biochemistry to human nutrition, food security, and horticultural production systems, thereby covering the full range from fundamental to applied research.

The following position is to be filled at the institute at the earliest possible date, for a fixed term of three years, as part of the DFG-funded project “A modular prion-like domain code for the activation of the heat shock factors in plants”:

PhD Student (f/m/div) in Plant Biology

Reference number: 26/2025/1

The salary will be based on qualification and research experience according to the wage agreement TV-L, up to pay scale 13, 65% of the regular working time. The conferral of a doctorate is possible at University of Potsdam.

The position is part of the research group ADAPT.1 (Temperature Sensing in Plants) in the program area ‘Plant Adaptation’ (ADAPT). The aim of the research project is to understand how intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) and prion-like domains (PLDs) control the temperature responsiveness of the HSF transcription factors in Arabidopsis thaliana. The project builds on a recent paper showing how HSFs in Arabidopsis undergo liquid-liquid phase separation in response to temperature (Peng et al., 2025, Molecular Plant).

Tasks include

• cloning and construct creation
• experimental design
• plant growth and survival assays in response to heat stress
• protein biochemistry and purification
• plant physiological measurements
• molecular biological investigations (e.g., gene expression analyses)
• analysis and publication of results in international journals
• presentation of results at national and international meetings

We are looking for candidates with

• a university degree (master’s / diploma) in biology, food chemistry, biochemistry, biosciences, or a related subject area
• sound knowledge in the fields of plant stress signaling
• experience in cloning and plant biology
• knowledge of the role of temperature signaling in biology
• experience in the application of molecular biological methods
• experience in the statistical analysis of research results or willingness to acquire such experience
• very good knowledge of MS Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• good written and spoken English skills
• self-motivated, independent, and responsible working style and high organizational skills
• ability to work in a team and willingness to integrate into an international working environment

We offer

• the opportunity to work on an interdisciplinary, cutting-edge research project
• a challenging position in plant science
• the opportunity to do a doctorate
• an inspiring and dynamic research environment with first-class laboratory facilities near Berlin and Potsdam
• a pleasant and appreciative working atmosphere, flexible and family-friendly working time model, and the possibility of mobile working (up to 50% of working time)
• subsidy for a company ticket for public transport or the Deutschlandticket (Germany ticket)

For questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Philip Wigge (+49 [0] 33701 78-411; wigge@igzev.de).

Please send your complete application (stating the reference number and including a motivation letter, your CV, academic certificates, and the names and addresses of two references, including your earliest possible starting date) by e-mail to bewerbung@igzev.de as PDF file by 03.11.2025.