PhD position in Plant biochemistry of stress perception (m/f/d)

Applications for a PhD position funded by the DFG within the Collaborative Research Centre SNP2Prot ‘Plant Proteoform Diversity’ are invited to join the research team of Debora Gasperini, at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB) in Halle (Saale), Germany. The IPB is a research institute of the Leibniz Association, and as a foundation under public law, is under direct supervision of the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The IPB is located on the Weinberg Campus of the Martin Luther University (MLU) Halle-Wittenberg.

Research topic

Our group investigates how plants perceive, transmit and integrate information about their environment to prompt adaptive responses. We focus on the jasmonate (JA) pathway, a master regulator of plant growth, defense, and fertility that triggers transcriptional changes necessary to promote plant fitness. Although key components of JA perception and signalling have been identified, it remains unclear how can a single bioactive molecule regulate the large heterogeneity of physiological events observed for JA responses. By using the model plant Arabidopsis, the project aims to structurally and functionally characterize naturally occurring proteoforms of a key repressor of JA signalling, uncover underlying integration networks, and ultimately assess their impact on plant performance.

What we offer

As part of SNP2Prot and its integrated doctoral program (IRTG-PROTEOFORuM), the successful candidate will be embedded in a stimulating and interdisciplinary scientific environment, with outstanding research facilities and complementary activities to increase their professional skills. Structural aspects of the projects will be conducted in close collaboration with the Balbach lab. Salary and benefits are according to the German public service scale TV-L E13, 65%. The expected start date is 01 Oct 2024, for 45 months. The city of Halle, with its renowned classical music festivals and rich cultural offer, is a beautiful place to live and is conveniently located near Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden.

Who should apply

We are looking for talented, highly motivated, and scientifically-driven candidates with strong interests in interdisciplinary and cooperative research. Applicants should hold or soon receive an MSc degree in biochemistry or molecular biology. Experience in protein expression and purification, interaction assays or advanced cell biology is a plus. The ideal candidates should be organized, intellectually independent, experimentally accurate and have a proactive attitude. Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. For project-related questions, please contact debora.gasperini(at)ipb-halle.de/ Tel:0049(0)34555821230.

How to apply

Applications should include a 1-page motivation statement on how the candidate expertise fits this position and complements the lab interests; a CV including education, technical experience, publications and the contacts of 2 referees. Applications must be submitted online before 30 June 2024 at https://snp2prot.uni-halle.de/project-details-b/4/.For queries concerning the application process, please contact:  info(at)snp2prot.uni-halle.de/ Tel:0049(0)3455524834.

A full list of available positions within SNP2Prot can be found here. Candidates can apply simultaneously for three projects of their preference. Selected candidates with MSc degrees from non-German universities have to obtain a Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications from the Central Office for Foreign Education at the time of hiring (link), subject to a fee. The IPB policy on diversity, family and equal opportunities can be consulted here. Please note the data protection information for applicants (m/f/d) according to Article 13 and 14 GDPR on data protection processing during the application process (link).