The MPI for Molecular Plant Physiology in Potsdam is looking for a PhD student (m/f/d) to work in the project “MZF: DRIVE – Data-driven and genome-edited breeding of locally adapted wheat varieties to increase agricultural biodiversity, sustainable climate resilience and resource efficiency” in the group of Dr. Joachim Forner. The position will be available from December 1st onwards.
Background
The changing climate also poses new challenges for wheat breeding and thus for securing our food supply. The high-yielding elite varieties must therefore be adapted to new weather conditions and pathogens as quickly as possible. Big data-based approaches can help to screen the available genetic diversity and identify useful alleles to safeguard our bread wheat against future hazards. However, these advantageous alleles, which often originate from old varieties with low yields, must then be introduced into the elite cultivars. This takes a very long time with classic crossing. The new genome editing techniques, on the other hand, open up the possibility of achieving this much more quickly. In this project, we therefore want to develop a pipeline to introduce beneficial changes directly into the wheat genome using CRISPR/Cas9.
Hence, we are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate interested in setting up a transformation and genome editing pipeline for wheat.
Your profile
- A master’s degree (or being close to its finalization) in biology, biotechnology, agricultural sciences or a related subject.
- Ideally experience in plant molecular biology and plant tissue culture.
- Very good command of English (oral and written).
- Ability to self-organize.
- Curiosity and enjoyment of science.
Our offer
- Position for PhD candidate, initially for three years with possibility for extension, paid according to German public service pay scale (65% of E13 TVöD Bund).
- The doctorate will be taken at the University of Potsdam.
- Support and mentoring for scientific and career development.
- A stimulating environment in a dynamic, international team of cooperative and motivated scientists.
- Access to the infrastructure of one of the leading plant science institutes.
- Working in the beautiful town of Potsdam and near by the exciting urban area of Berlin.
How to apply
Screening of applications will start immediately on a rolling basis and will continue until a suitable candidate has been identified.
Interested candidates should submit
- a letter explaining their motivation to join the project and a short description of their previous research projects and
- a CV including contact details for two scientific references and their academic transcripts
through the online system.