PhD candidate (m/f/d)
A total of five positions are available at Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU), Hochschule Geisenheim University (HGU) and the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI, Institute for Resistance Research and Stress Tolerance, Quedlinburg) as
PhD candidate (m/f/d)
for a period of 36 months from 01.04.2025 within the International Research Training Group IRTG 2843 "Accelerating Crop Genetic Gain" in cooperation with the University of Queensland, Australia. A 12-month extension is possible in case of a corresponding DFG grant award. Remuneration will be in accordance with salary group E13 (65% full-time equivalent) according to the collective labour agreement of the State of Hesse (TV-H) at JLU and HGU or the collective labour agreement for public service (TVöD) at JKI.
International Research Training Group 2843 "Accelerating Crop Genetic Gain"
IRTG 2843 aims to develop and apply innovative, integrated research approaches for plant breeding from the fields of genetics/genomics, biotechnology, mathematics/statistics/bioinformatics, plant physiology and modelling in order to accelerate breeding progress, using examples in neglected crops. In various interacting research projects, novel plant populations are being established for faba bean and sorghum as case studies for technological acceleration of breeding progress by implementing genomics-based simulation studies and cross planning along with "speed breeding", gene editing, high-throughput genotyping, precision phenotyping and genomic/phenomic prediction methods. Key goals include the acceleration of generation cycles and trait introgression along with optimisation of complex stress adaptation traits and yield performance through data-driven crossing and selection. The positions offer attractive opportunities for research visits to the partner university in Australia and internships in cooperating breeding companies, after fulfilling pre-determined research and training goals.
Your tasks at a glance
- Responsibility for a cooperative PhD research project in the integrated research programme: Potential topics include development of innovative methods for digital phenotyping and genomic/phenomic selection for imrpovement of abiotic stress tolerance in faba bean or sorghum breeding
- Active participation in interdisciplinary training activities covering the above-mentioned research areas
Your qualifications and profile
- University degree (MSc or equivalent) in agricultural sciences, biology, bioinformatics or mathematics/statistics with excellent grade point average
- Relevant knowledge about plant breeding and biotechnology, quantitative genetics, molecular genetics/genomics and/or sequencing bioinformatics
- Strong interest in applied, interdisciplinary research
- Desire to broaden your personal, intellectual and professional horizons through active collaboration in a culturally and professionally diverse research team
- Excellent English-language writing, communication and presentation skills
- Proven ability to achieve goals independently when necessary, but combined with strong team skills
For further information please contact the IRTG 2843 lead Prof Dr. Rod Snowdon (Rod.Snowdon@agrar.uni-giessen.de)
The institutions involved guarantee professional equality and are committed to inclusion. We also strive for a higher proportion of women in science and explicitly welcome female applicants. The participating institutions see themselves as family-friendly institutions. Applicants with children are welcome. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preference in case of equal suitability.
You want to break new ground with us?
Apply via our online form by November 7th, 2024, indicating reference number 679/09. We look forward to receiving your application.