PhD-Position - Etablierung von Phagen-Biokontrollstrategien zur Pathogenkontrolle in landwirtschaftlich relevanten Pflanzen

PhD Position - Establishment of Phage-Biocontrol Strategies for Pathogen Control in Agriculturally Relevant Plants

As a leading research institution for plant sciences and microbial biotechnology the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG) at the Forschungszentrum Jülich focuses on molecular and applied biosciences in plants and microbes. The project will develop innovative aspects of biologically sustainable plant biocontroll agents, and builds on existing basic research to bring the state of the art to applicable level. The work will be a close collaboration between Prof. Frunzke’s Lab at IBG1- Microbial Biotechnology and Dr. Arsova’s Lab at IBG-2 Plant Sciences.

Your Job:

Conventional treatments against plant bacterial pathogens are becoming less effective due to bacterial resistance. They also have wide action mechanisms that contribute to decreasing microbial biodiversity while at the same time polluting the environment. Bacteriophages (viruses of microbes) are an untapped resource that can contribute to sustainable plant pathogen control. The project builds on basic research that dealt with characterizing the interaction of plant - bacterium- bacteriophage through time (Erdrich et al., 2022 Viruses; Erdrich et al., 2024 Microbial Biotechnology) and aims to set up the base for agricultural application of phages as biocontrol agents.

• Your PhD project will focus on dissecting the dynamic tripartite organismal interactions between agriculturally relevant plants, bacteria and phages using molecular biology approaches
• You will work both in the microbiology lab of Prof. Julia Frunzke (IBG-1) and in the Root Dynamics Group of Dr. Borjana Arsova (IBG-2)
• Both microbiological experiments as well as plant physiological experiments (in lab and greenhouse) will be part of this work
• Your methodological focus will include (but is not limited to) microbiology- including bacteriophage isolation and characterization, phage application strategies, plant phenotyping of roots and shoots, next-generation sequencing (NGS, RNA-seq), and molecular biology

Your Profile:

We are looking for a Plant Scientist / Microbiologist / Molecular Biologist interested in working an interdisciplinary environment at the cross-over of Plant Physiology and Microbiology

• MSc degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or similar disciplines
• Experience in and enthusiasm for Plant Sciences (especially plant physiology or plant immunity), Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Virology/Phage Biology
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment involving two different research groups
• Fluent command of written and spoken English
• High degree of independence and commitment and well-developed communication skills
• Reliable and conscientious style of working and excellent ability to cooperate and work in a team

Our Offer:

We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• A highly motivated research environment, in two international and interdisciplinary working institutes in one of the largest research centers in Europe
• Opportunity to partake in national and international research meetings
• Partner university for the doctoral exam will be the Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf (https://www.math-nat-fak.hhu.de/en/doctoral-research))
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
• A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via the JuDocS Graduate school (http://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs),,) the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

The position is initially for a fixed term of 3 years. Pay in line with 65% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 66 of the PDF download: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: https://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

We look forward to receiving your application. The job will be advertised until the position has been successfully filled. You should therefore submit your application as soon as possible.