PhD Position in Plant Breeding at IPK Gatersleben Germany – Online Apply

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Announcement of PhD Position in Plant Breeding at IPK Gatersleben Germany, The Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) looking for a PhD Student to work on and develop breeding strategies to mine Winter-wheat accessions stored in the IPK gene bank. IPK is independent of gender, origin, age or disability. The IPK is striving to increase the proportion of women in sectors where they are underrepresented and, therefore, explicitly encourages qualified women to apply.

The Quantitative Genetics research group is interested in developing statistical genomics toolboxes to decipher the genetic architecture of important crop traits like grain yield heterosis. In the era of large population size and dense genomic data such as whole-genome sequencing, new algorithms are needed to remove the bottleneck of computational load for such a development.

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Applications are invited from all nationals through all around the world for PhD Position in Plant Breeding at IPK Gatersleben Germany. The last date of online submission of applications is 17 September, 2025. The Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) is a member of the Leibniz Association. It is organized as a non-profit foundation under public law. According to its statutes, basic and applied research on cultivated plants is one of the institute’s missions.

Details of PhD Position in Plant Breeding at IPK Gatersleben Germany:

Posted date	07-08-2025
Sector	Private
Job type	Full time
Salary	€4,253 to €5,951
Education	Master’s degree
Job Location	Gatersleben Germany
Postal Code	06466
Hiring Organization	Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)
Last Date	17-09-2025
Job Status	ON
No. of Vacancies	Multiple
Organization Street Address	Corrensstraße 3 D-06466 Seeland, OT Gatersleben

Key Responsibilities:

• You work with elite × crop wild relative crosses to develop pre-breeding material that bridges research and applied breeding.
• You analyze experimental field data from breeding populations to investigate the genetic basis of traits such as visual anther extrusion, heading date, plant height, and grain yield.
• You process genotypic data, ensure its alignment with phenotypic data, and conduct association analyses to identify informative marker–trait relationships.
• You curate data in accordance with FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and integrate it with existing datasets of similar scope.

Eligibility Criteria of PhD Position in Plant Breeding at IPK Gatersleben Germany:

Qualifications and Skills:

• You hold an MSc in plant science, plant breeding, biology, or a related quantitative field with a focus on biology.
• You have hands-on experience in crop genomics and managing genotyping data.
• You bring first experience with biostatistics methods, e.g. with mixed-models.
• You are familiar with data analysis using programming languages like R, and/or Python.
• You have excellent communication skills and a willingness to collaborate across disciplines.

Other Skills:

• If you have strong scientific curiosity and motivation.
• If you can work both independently and as part of a team.
• If you are comfortable with working in an English-focused research environment.

Benefits:

• The opportunity to work in a world-class research center with state-of-the-art facilities and scientists from all over the world.
• A collegial working atmosphere.
• A 3-year PhD position, starting earliest by 15.10.2025.
• A gross salary up to 65% E13 TV-L.

PhD Position in Plant Breeding at IPK Gatersleben Germany Advertisment:

Required Documents:

• Application form (via portal)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Certificates and transcripts
• Any additional supporting documents
• Reference Number: 54/08/25

How to Apply for PhD Position in Plant Breeding at IPK Gatersleben Germany?

• All interested candidates should apply online through the official career portal of IPK Gatersleben Germany at or by the below given apply now button.
• If you need further information, feel free to contact Abhishek Gogna Tel.: +49 (0) 39482 5844 or Prof. Dr. Jochen Christoph Reif Tel.: +49 (0) 39482 5840 directly.
• Applications must be submitted online as a single PDF file by September 17, 2025 through the IPK official portal.
• If you have questions or require more information, please contact Kerstin Schweigert (jobs[at]ipk-gatersleben.de) Please indicate the reference number 54/08/25 in your correspondence.
• IPK Official website: https://www.ipk-gatersleben.de/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is the application deadline on September 17, 2025, firm?
A: Yes, applications must be submitted through the official portal by the end of that day (September 17, 2025).

Q2: What does the salary “65% E13 TV-L” mean?
A: In the German public sector, PhD positions are often paid on the “TV-L” wage agreement scale. The “E13” level is standard for researchers with a Master’s degree. “65%” refers to the part-time status, as PhD positions are typically considered part-time roles (usually 26 hours/week). The gross monthly salary for a 65% E13 position ranges from approximately €4,253 to €5,951, depending on experience level (Step 1 to Step 6).

Q3: I am an international student. Can I apply for this position?
A: Absolutely. Applications are invited from all nationalities around the world. The IPK is a highly international institute.

Q4: Is the working language English?
A: Yes, the research group operates in an English-focused environment. Proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of German is helpful for daily life but is not a formal requirement for the position.

Q5: What is the expected start date?
A: The position is available to start as early as October 15, 2025, though this may be somewhat flexible for the right candidate.

Q6: Are there any tuition fees associated with this PhD position?
A: This is an employment position, not a studentship with tuition fees. You will be a salaried employee of the IPK. You will typically enroll as a PhD student at a nearby university (e.g., Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg), which may require a nominal semester fee (usually a few hundred Euros covering public transport and administrative costs), not tuition.