PhD Position (f/m/d) Institute for Plant Sciences | Saur-Lab

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.

The Saur Lab (saurlab.com ) at the Institute for Plant Sciences has an open position for a PhD (f/m/d) in the field of molecular plantmicrobe interactions. The ultimate aim of the research is to contribute to the control of fungal pathogens in economically important crops. The Saur group is associated with CEPLAS and the SFB 1403 „Cell Death in Immunity, Inflammation and Disease“. We are an international team and value motivation and the ability to work in a team.

YOUR TASKS

The successful candidate studies the interaction between barley and powdery mildew. This includes:

• isolation of genes from the powdery mildew fungus Blumeria graminis, which code for proteins that have crucial virulence functions (so-called effectors)
• defining residues of existing and newly isolated effectors that are necessary for virulence activity
• investigating the overlap of the virulence activity of the effectors and their recognition in resistant barley lines

YOUR PROFILE

• a M. Sc. degree in biological sciences
• have excellent written and spoken English skills
• motivation
• the ability to work in a team

It is beneficial for this particular project

• to understand the principles of plant immunity
• to have hands-on experience in molecular biology of plants and / or plant-microbe interactions

WE OFFER YOU

• an international team
• a scientifically stimulating environment with a low hierarchy in the group
• one-to-one supervision
• 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 (65%) is available from 01.01.2022. It is initially 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 apply online at: https://jobportal.uni-koeln.de with proof of the sought qualifications. The reference number is Wiss2109-13. The application deadline is 31.10.2021.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms Isabel Saur ([email protected] ).