PhD student in Plant Biochemistry (13/2023) in Halle (Saale) bei Leibniz Institut für Pflanzenbiochemie (IPB)

The Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry in Halle (Saale), a research institute of the Leibniz Association, is offering a three-year position project for a

PhD student (m/f/d) in Plant Biochemistry

at the Department of Cell and Metabolic Biology within the research group “Phenylpropanoids” supported by grants from the German Science Foundation, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).

The IPB is an international research institute located on the Weinberg-Campus of the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg and provides state-of-the-art facilities for research in plant biochemistry/proteomics, cell biology, natural product biochemistry/metabolomics. Information about the IPB and the research group can be found on the homepage: www.ipb-halle.de or https://www.ipb-halle.de/en/research/cell-and-metabolic-biology/research/phenylpropanoid-metabolism/, respectively.

Research topic
Our investigations focus on the biosynthesis and cellular biology of the common spice, black pepper ( Piper nigrum). The compound required for pungency of this spice is an alkaloid, termed piperine. Piperine and related piperamides accumulate in the fruits, but also the roots of black pepper plants. Upon contact with mucous membranes they interact with the human vanilloid receptor resulting in a pungent perception, not a taste. We use chemical, biochemical and molecular tools to investigate the remaining unknown steps in piperamide biosynthesis but will also investigate the transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome of roots and fruits at the cellular level using laser capture microdissection.

Who should apply?
We ask for a motivated and skilled person with a masters degree or a similar qualification and some expertise in chemistry of natural compounds, biochemistry, cell biology, and/or molecular plant sciences in general. Of course at this level you cannot be an expert in everything, but should have some ideas on, and proven experience in one or more of the following technologies: chemical analysis and synthesis, LC and or LC-MS based identification of natural products, plant molecular biology, (Golden Gate) cloning, protein expression, enzyme assays, fluorescence microscopy. The IPB infrastructure and technical background will offer you the possibility to qualify yourself with a large set of technologies for a PhD in the field of plant molecular and natural product sciences.

What we offer
Salary and social benefits are based on German public sector employees (TV-L E13, 65%) for a period of 3 years. A stimulating and friendly, international environment and great research and training possibilities.

How to apply
Please, email applications with Reference number 13/2023 as a single pdf document to bewerbungen@ipb-halle.de. Consideration of applications will begin from October, 1st, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. Selected candidates from non-German universities will need to obtain a Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications from the Central Office for Foreign Education (https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education).

Please note the data protection information for applicants (m/f/d) according to Article 13 and 14 GDPR on data protection processing during the application process:
https://www.ipb-halle.de/en/career/data-protection-information-for-applicants/