Scientist (f, m, div.) in Plant-Insect-Pathogen Interactions and Resistance Research

Epso; Großbeeren; Remote; EUR 47.000 - 62.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Epso seeks a PhD-level researcher to join the Plant-Microbe Systems group in the BMFTR project Phytoprotect: PentaCross in Germany. You will plan, conduct and evaluate greenhouse and laboratory experiments on Leporinus interactions with vegetables, while establishing insect cultures and performing molecular analyses.

You will collaborate with research partners, analyse large datasets, and contribute to publications and scientific reports.

Qualifikationen

• PhD in agricultural sciences, plant sciences, phytopathology, entomology or comparable discipline.
• Sound knowledge of, or keen interest in, plant–insect–pathogen interactions.
• Experience planning and carrying out biological experiments involving plants and insects.
• Good knowledge of molecular biology methods, in particular DNA extraction and qPCR.
• Proven experience in the quantitative recording and statistical analysis of biological data, e.g. using R.
• Proven experience in publishing research findings.
• Experience with GWAS, genotyping, bioinformatics, proteomics or metabolomics would be an advantage.
• A self-motivated, independent and responsible approach to work, as well as strong organisational skills.
• Willingness to work with insect cultures and plant populations, and to carry out long‑term experimental series.
• An enthusiasm for interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific communication.
• Very good written and spoken German and English.
• Willingness to undertake business travel; a Class B driving licence (car) is an advantage.

Aufgaben

• Planning, conducting and evaluating greenhouse and laboratory experiments to characterise plant–insect interactions.
• Establishment of insect cultures and standardised rearing/synchronisation.
• Investigating pathogen transmission to host plants.
• Assessment of plant phenotypes, disease symptoms, yield and other characteristics.
• Molecular analyses (DNA extraction and qPCR) for pathogen quantification.
• Statistical analysis of phenotypic/genotypic datasets for GWAS.
• Integration of phenotypic, molecular, proteomic and metabolomic data to study resistance.
• Documentation, interpretation and presentation of results; writing publications/reports.
• Independent collaboration with partner institutions and supervision of technical staff.

Kenntnisse

Experiment planning

Statistical analysis

Molecular biology knowledge

Scientific publishing

Ausbildung

PhD in agricultural sciences

Tools

DNA extraction

qPCR

R programming

Jobbeschreibung

Tasks include

• planning, conducting and evaluating greenhouse and laboratory experiments to characterise the interaction of leporinus with vegetable crops such as carrots and beetroot


• establishment of insect cultures, as well as standardised rearing and synchronisation of leporinus


• investigating the transmission of pathogens to various host plants


• assessment of plant phenotypes, disease symptoms, yield and other physiological characteristics


• performing and supervising molecular biological analyses, in particular DNA extraction and qPCR for the quantification of pathogens


• processing and statistical analysis of extensive phenotypic and genotypic datasets as a basis for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify and characterise resistance markers


• integration of phenotypic, molecular, proteomic and metabolomic data to elucidate resistance mechanisms


• documentation, interpretation and presentation of results, as well as writing of publications and scientific reports


• independent communication and collaboration with the scientific institutions involved in the project and other partners from research, breeding industry and farmers, as well as supervising technical assistants

Your profile

• a completed PhD in agricultural sciences, plant sciences, phytopathology, entomology or a comparable discipline


• sound knowledge of, or a keen interest in, plant‑insect‑pathogen interactions


• experience in planning and carrying out biological experiments involving plants and insects


• good knowledge of molecular biology methods, in particular DNA extraction and qPCR


• proven experience in the quantitative recording and statistical analysis of biological data, e.g. using R


• proven experience in publishing research findings


• experience with GWAS, genotyping, bioinformatics, proteomics or metabolomics would be an advantage


• a self‑motivated, independent and responsible approach to work, as well as strong organisational skills


• willingness to work with insect cultures and plant populations, and to carry out long‑term experimental series


• an enthusiasm for interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific communication


• very good written and spoken German and English


• willingness to undertake business travel; a Class B driving licence (car) is therefore an advantage

Employment will be initially from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2030 three years subject to approval by the funding organization in the research group ‘Plant-Microbe Systems’ within the BMFTR project ‘Phytoprotect: PentaCross – Cross-Crop Research on Pentastiridius–Pathogen–Host Interactions in the SBR/Stolbur Complex’. The salary will be based on qualifications and research experience in accordance with the collective agreement TV-L, up to pay scale 13, full-time