Academic Member; f​/m​/d no

University of Potsdam, Faculty of Sciences

Organisation/Company University of Potsdam, Faculty of Sciences Department Faculty of Science/Institute of Biochemistry and Biology/Department of Molecular Biology Research Field Biological sciences » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Final date to receive applications 28 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Country Germany Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Part-time Hours Per Week 26 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

The Faculty of Science/Institute of Biochemistry and Biology/Department of Molecular Biology at the University of Potsdam invites applications for the following position limited to 36 months, to be filled as soon as possible subject to funding approval:

Academic Staff Member (f/m/d)

. 303/2026

The successful candidate will work 26 hours per week (65 %). The position is classified within remuneration group 13 of the collective wage agreement among the German federal states (“Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst der Länder” – TV-L). The fixed term of employment is in accordance with Section 2 subsection 1 of the German Act on Fixed-Term Employment Contracts in Science and Academia (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz or WissZeitVG).If

necessary, an extension of up to three years is possible if personal and legal requirements are met.

Your Field of Work:

The position is embedded in a DFG-funded research project in the field of plant molecular biology and regeneration, focusing on somatic embryogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. The project aims to elucidate how differentiated somatic cells acquire embryonic identity, with particular emphasis on the role of auxin signaling and gene regulatory networks. The doctoral researcher will combine molecular genetics, advanced imaging, multi-omics approaches, and computational analyses to investigate cellular reprogramming mechanism.

The Scope of Your Responsibilities:

• Design and execution of transcriptome (RNA-seq) and chromatin accessibility (ATAC-seq) analyses during embryonic identity acquisition in Arabidopsis thaliana cotyledons over a defined time course (0–7 days)
• Computational analysis and integration of multi-omics datasets to identify key genes and regulatory elements involved in cellular reprogramming
• Functional characterization of candidate genes using Arabidopsis mutant and transgenic lines (T-DNA insertion lines, CRISPR/Cas-generated mutants, and over-expression lines)
• Application of CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing for targeted functional studies
• Documentation, interpretation, and publication of research results in peer-reviewed journals
• Active participation in seminars, conferences, and collaborative research activities

Further academic qualification (doctorate) is possible. At least one-third of working hours is available for in-depth academic work.

Your

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree (MSc) in Plant Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology
  , or a closely related field
• Strong background in molecular and cell biology techniques (e.g. DNA/RNA isolation, qPCR, cloning, microscopy)
• Demonstrated interest in plant regeneration and developmental biology
• Very good command of English
  , both written and spoken
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment

We are also looking for the following competences:

• Prior exposure to bioinformatics and computational analysis
• Experience or strong motivation to learn RNA-seq and ATAC-seq data analysis
• Familiarity with Arabidopsis thaliana genetics and plant transformation techniques
• High level of motivation, curiosity, and organizational skills

What We Offer:

As a university, we combine the strong potential for development of a teaching and research institution with the attractive working conditions of the public sector. The University of Potsdam is a reliable employer that supports its employees with a variety of offers and benefits:

• Make the most of the various continuing education and networking opportunities offered by the University of…