Postdoctoral Positions in Plant Mechanical Stress Perception (m/f/d)

Applications for several ERC-funded Postdoctoral positions are invited to join the research team of Debora Gasperini at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB) in Halle, Germany (www.ipb-halle.de). The IPB is a member of the Leibniz Association and foundation under public law, located on the Weinberg-Campus of the Martin Luther University (MLU) Halle-Wittenberg.

Research topic

Both animals and plants produce potently active mediators in response to tissue injury. These oxygenated lipid derivatives include leukotrienes and prostaglandins in animals, and jasmonates (JAs) in plants. JAs are synthesized from poly unsaturated fatty acids residing in plastidial membranes, and are essential to protect plants against numerous biotic and abiotic challenges including insect herbivory and temperature extremes. Despite the vital roles of JAs in sustaining plant fitness, it is still unknown how are damage signals transmitted to plastids to initiate phytohormone production and what is the nature of the transmitted signal(s). Our previous work in Arabidopsis uncovered that osmotically-induced turgor pressure changes elicit hormone biosynthesis. By using interdisciplinary approaches, the ERC-funded project MECHANOJAS thus intends to fill a critical gap in knowledge in plant acclimation, and expand our understanding on fundamental aspects of plant mechano- and osmo-sensing.

Who should apply

We are looking for scientifically-driven, curious, rigorous, and proactive scientists with strong interests in interdisciplinary research and plant environmental acclimation. Applicants should hold or soon receive a PhD in one of the following fields: biophysics, cell biology, biochemistry or molecular biology. Positions must be filled before the end of 2023. Experience in mechanobiology, membrane biology, image analysis, FLIM, or plastid isolation is advantageous. Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.

What we offer

Salary and social benefits are based on German public sector employees (TV-L E13) for a period of 3 years with the possibility of extension. The lab will provide exciting projects of significant relevance and impact, and mentoring for independent fellowship applications. New members will join our highly interactive and collaborative team. The IPB hosts a stimulating and dynamic scientific environment, with outstanding research facilities. Team members benefit from courses and events offered at the IPB and the neighbouring MLU.

For project-related questions please contact debora.gasperini(at)ipb-halle.de/ Tel: 0049 (0) 345 5582 1230.

How to apply

Applications should include a cover letter addressing how the candidate’s expertise fits this position and complements the lab interests; a CV including publications; and the names and addresses of 2-3 referees. Please, email applications with Reference number 7/2023 as a single pdf document to bewerbungen(at)ipb-halle.de. Consideration of applications will begin from 01 June 2023 and will continue until positions are filled.

Selected candidates with PhD degrees from non-German universities will need to obtain a Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications from the Central Office for Foreign Education (https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education).

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:

https://www.ipb-halle.de/en/career/data-protection-information-for-applicants/