Molecular Plant Biologist in the Plant Synthetic Biology Group

The MPI for Molecular Plant Physiology in Potsdam is looking for a

Molecular Plant Biologist in the Plant Synthetic Biology Group

Are you a plant biologist excited about building new plant genomes? Do you want to help develop the tools to create universal chloroplast genomes and transplant them across species? If so, join us at the Plant Synthetic Biology group of Dr. Daniel Dunkelmann at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology.

We are looking for an experienced plant biologist to strengthen our growing team. You should have a strong background in plant molecular biology, with expertise in protoplast regeneration, tissue culture and the regeneration of Solanaceous species. We’re seeking a team player with a keen interest in developing new methods to move entire chloroplast genomes between host plants.

You will join the

SycSol team

funded by the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) and embedded in their Synthetic Plants programme, giving you access to a vibrant community of fellow plant synthetic biologists. Our team designs plant genomes capable of functioning across species and develops strategies to enable their effective transfer between hosts. We engineer synthetic genetic codes to enable artificial polymer production and to ensure genetic isolation of synthetic elements in plants. Our focus is on advancing methods at the intersection of computational, molecular, synthetic, and plant biology. We are building an interdisciplinary and diverse team to drive innovation in this space.

Your specific tasks :

• In-house development of potato and tobacco protoplast regeneration protocols
• Development of methods for protoplast–cytoplast fusion and regeneration
• Close collaboration with the genome synthesis team to shape the design of synthetic plant genomes
• Development of robust methods for interspecies chloroplast transfer
• In-depth characterisation of hybrid plants
• Design and execution of new genome-scale engineering methods in synthetic biology

Beyond these research tasks, we offer a platform for you to take initiative and grow into an independent scientist. As a postdoc , you will have the opportunity to shape the direction of your project.

• Mentor MSc and PhD students, preparing for a future supervisory role
• Attend workshops and conferences to present your findings and advance your professional development.

Your profile :

• PhD in Plant Biology or a related field, with first-author or co-author publications in preprints or peer-reviewed journals
• Experience with protoplast regeneration, preferably in Solanaceous plants
• Experience with rapid plant model systems is a plus, especially tobacco cell culture, mosses, and liverworts
• Strong interest in mentoring PhD and MSc students is desirable
• Flexible start date is a plus, we are looking for someone to join as soon as possible.
• You are committed to fostering a friendly and welcoming lab atmosphere.

What we value and offer :

We value curiosity, kindness and ambition, and building things together. Whether you are a team player or prefer to focus on your own work, as long as you contribute to an inclusive workplace, you are welcome in our team!

We offer a stimulating research setting at one of the world’s leading plant biology institutes. The Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology, located in Potsdam-Golm near Berlin, provides world-class infrastructure and outstanding support services. The position is fully funded and comes with excellent resources, allowing full focus on science for two years .

How to apply :

Tell us why you are interested in plant synthetic biology and why you are well suited to develop methods for the targeted transfer of chloroplasts across species. We would also like to hear what kind of lab setting you enjoy and what helps you doing your best work.