Scientific Assistant (f/m/d) - part-time

The University of Cologne is one of the largest and most research-intensive universities in Germany, offering a wide range of subjects. With its six faculties and its interfaculty centres, it offers a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines and internationally outstanding profile areas, supported by the administration with its services.

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral or doctoral scientist

position (f/m/d) in the group of Prof. Marcel Bucher at the University of Cologne and its Cluster of Excellence in Plant Sciences (www.

ceplas.eu). The research in the Bucher lab is based on a broad interest in the interactions of terrestrial plants with soil microbiota, with a particular focus on mutualistic symbioses. The main objective of this project is to advance the basic knowledge of the molecular mechanisms regulating the symbiotic association between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, with a focus on the underlying genetic regulatory network.

Your Tasks

• Gain in-depth expertise in a combination of relevant strategies such as ChIP-qPCR, RNAseq and molecular physiology of AM symbiosis in WT and mutant plants
• Validation of regulatory factors through DNA-protein and protein-protein interaction approaches
• Participation in regular and topical scientific meetings

Your Profile

• A Master‘s degree or equivalent in biology and experience in molecular biology is essential.
• You have a high degree of motivation to leave your own comfort zone, to dare something new and to delve deeply into the subject.
• Flexibility and a sense of responsibility
• Organisational and planning skills
• The ability to work in a team, and independence.
• Experience in project coordination and in submitting applications is desirable
• Very good written and spoken German and English language skills are required. Particular experience in scientific writing is important.

We Offer You

• Exciting and varied project work in a friendly and international team
• A diverse and fair working environment
• Support in reconciling work and family life
• Flexible working time models
• Extensive advanced training opportunities
• Occupational health management offers
• Local transport ticket at a discount for UoC employees

The position is available from 01.01.2022 on a part-time basis (65%). It is limited to a term of 3 years. If the applicant meets the relevant wage requirements and personal qualifications, the salary is based on remuneration group 13 TV-L of the pay scale for the German public sector.

The University of Cologne is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. Women are especially encouraged to apply and will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome applications from people with disabilities / special needs or of equal status.

Please send your convincing application (CV with motivation letter and 2 references) by email (in one pdf-file) with the reference number Wiss2109-09 to [email protected] .

If you have any questions, please contact Claudia Schwanitz ([email protected] ) or

Prof. Dr. Marcel Bucher ([email protected] ).