The Molecular Plant Nutrition research group investigates the transport and metabolism of minerals and their role in physiological and morphological adaptations of plants to stress or agricultural production conditions. In frame of two projects dealing with physiological and morphological root traits we are investigating genotypical responses to nitrogen deficiency or different nitrogen forms as well as the communication between root and shoots in the regulation of root traits. This includes element and phytohormone analyses as well as investigations on gene regulation and DNA sequence variation. The ultimate goal is to integrate genetic, physiological and morphological studies allowing to identify genes and genetic markers that support breeding nitrogen use-efficient crops.

Your tasks:

• cultivation of wheat and barley plants in soil-filled rhizotrons or in hydroponic culture incl. preparation of media
• sampling of shoot and root material, fractionation, milling, weighing and preparation for chemical analysis
• manual correction and processing of image data
• RNA and DNA extraction
• gene expression analyses by qPCR
• coordination and share of team work in growth experiments and screening approaches

Your qualifications and skills:

• You hold an education as biological-technical assistant (f/m/d) or biology laboratory technician (f/m/d) or a compa-rable qualification.
• You have knowledge of methods/analyses in plant cultivation, sampling and media preparation.
• You are familiar with Microsoft office software, in particular Excel and Word.
• You communicate well in English (both spoken and written) and you are able to write your daily protocol in English.

You fit to us:

• if you have a strong interest in plant adaptation and stress responses.
• if you have a natural strong motivation and scientific curiosity.
• if you are able to work autonomously and in a team.
• if you are very well organized.

We offer you:

• a working environment with a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities.
• the opportunity to work in a world-class research center with state-of-the-art facilities and scientists from all over the world.
• a collegial working atmosphere.
• a project-based position starting on 1. August 2025, limited until 30.06.2027.
• a gross salary up to 100 % E7 TV-L.

If you need further information, please feel free to contact Prof. Dr. Nicolaus von Wirén Tel.: +49 (0) 39482 5602 directly.

What you need to know:
For us, your qualifications and strengths count. Therefore, everyone – independent from gender, origin, age, or possible disability – is welcome. The IPK is striving to increase the proportion of women in sectors where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages qualified women to apply. As an institution which has been awarded the Certificate for Career and Family (“berufundfamilie”), we offer family-friendly working conditions and flexible working hours. The IPK has set a goal to employ more people with disabilities. Qualified applicants with a disability will be given preference.

Your application:

We are looking forward to receiving your online-application (http://www.ipk-gatersleben.de/en/job-offers/) by 11.07.2025. If you have questions or require more information, please contact Kerstin Schweigert (jobs[at]ipk-gatersleben.de). Please indicate the reference number 42/06/25 in your correspondence. Foreign qualifications must carry out an equivalence test in Germany, which is subject to a fee. This must be presented in the event of later hiring: https://zab.kmk.org/en/statement-comparability