Postdoctoral Researcher (f, m, div.) in the Field of Microbial Ecology and Bioinformatics

The Plant-Microbe Systems group at the Leibniz Institute for Horticultural Sciences (IGZ) in Großbeeren offers a two-year postdoctoral position from 1 February 2027 (TV-L up to E13, full-time, part-time possible). The group studies interactions between plants, their associated microbiomes and the environment, combining molecular, bioinformatic and field-based approaches to identify microbiome-informed strategies for sustainable, climate-resilient crop production.

The postdoc will perform microbiological and molecular laboratory work on environmental and plant-associated samples, including cultivation, DNA and RNA extraction, PCR and amplicon or metabarcoding library preparation; process and quality-control sequencing data; develop advanced statistical models for microbiome, ecological and experimental datasets; write R-based workflows; carry out soil, plant and rhizosphere field sampling; co-supervise students; and publish the results.

Stephanie Jurburg is the contact for the position.

PhD in microbial ecology, bioinformatics or a related natural science; hands-on molecular laboratory experience; processing of high-throughput sequencing data (e.g. dada2 or QIIME); advanced R and statistical modelling; willingness to do field work; fluent English, German an advantage. Application as a single PDF by e-mail with motivation letter, CV, certificates, two references and earliest start date.