The Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry the department Cell and Metabolic Biology invites applications for a
PhD position - Molecular basis of trichome development and metabolism under heat stress (m/f/d)
(Salary group E13 TV-L, part-time 65 %)
The position is available immediately for a period of up to 4 years.
Who we are:
The Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB) is a non-university research institution of the Leibniz Association on the Weinberg Campus of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. As a foundation under public law, the IPB is under direct supervision of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.
The IPB is an internationally recognized research institution and consists of four scientific Departments and additional independent research groups (approx. 200 employees, including around 40 doctoral students).
Research at the IPB aims to understand the (bio)chemical basis of plant resilience and performance in challenging environments related to climate change. The IPB offers excellent research facilities and state-of-the-art infrastructure to study the chemical diversity, biochemical interactions and biological functions of small natural product molecules in plants and fungi (https://www.ipb-halle.de/en/). The project:
We recently uncovered that heat stress leads to a reprogramming of trichome development in tomato, with glandular type IV trichomes replacing type V non-glandular hairs (Säbel et al., https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.07.28.551053). This is accompanied by a strong increase in acylsugar production. In this project we aim to decipher the molecular mechanisms at the basis of this developmental reprogramming.
Your tasks:
Develop a single-cell and/or spatial transcriptomics method for tomato leaves
Analyse transcriptomics data to identify candidate genes
Functional characterization of the candidate genes including by gene editing. This includes metabolite profiling and cell biology of trichome development.
Collaborate with other groups at the IPB and other Institutes for method development and analysis of results.
Your profile:
An excellent MSc degree (or equivalent) in molecular biology
Skills in bioinformatics an advantage
Strong interest in the response of plants to environmental stress.
Excellent English language skills (written and spoken)
Our benefits:
Excellent working conditions in an international environment
Flexible and family-friendly working hours and possibility of home-office
Offer of professional training courses and measures for skill improvement
Compensation according to TV-L (including annual special payment)
Contribution to your company pension plan (VBL)
On-site opportunities for health promotion
Diversity, family and equal opportunities:
The IPB aspires to the goal of equal opportunity, diversity, and the promotion of work-life balance as it was awarded the certificate \"Total E-Quality\". In addition, the IPB is a member of the nationwide company network \"Success Factor Family\" and of the “Diversity Charter” (Charta der Vielfalt).
Applications from disabled persons or applicants with equivalent status are expressly welcome.
Further information can be found at: https://www.ipb-halle.de/en/institute/