Master Thesis “Genetic analysis of water use efficiency in barley and wheat”

Research Group Genome Diversity

Background:
Biomass formation in cereals is in the focus of agronomic research in the context of a yield increase. With ongoing climate change causing more frequent drought events, water use efficiency (WUE) is of critical importance to sustain yield stability. As a precondition to improve WUE by plant breeding, the genetic basis of this trait needs to be elucidated and genetic markers for the transfer of favorable alleles need to be identified.
Modern, automated phenotyping systems established at IPK Gatersleben allow for image-based estimation of biomass formation under highly controlled water regimes (Neumann et al. 2015). First insight was gained into the genetic architecture of biomass formation in barley in the frame of genome-wide association study (Neumann et al. 2017).

The challenge:
In the frame of a master thesis we now want to extend previous studies on biomass formation by implementing an approach to investigate variation in WUE within populations of diverse spring barley and spring wheat accessions. The student will calculate WUE from an existing set, perform basic statistical analysis and perform a Genome Wide Association Study to resolve the genetic architecture of WUE in both crops.

We offer you:
• A cutting edge research environment with high international visibility.
• Multicultural scientific surroundings with more than 500 employees from about 35 countries.
• Good train connections to regional hubs (e.g. Halle and Magdeburg).
• Accommodation at cost in the guest house of the Institute.
• Remuneration as graduate assistant (student research assistant / wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft).

If you need further information feel free to contact Dr. Kerstin Neumann (neumannk@ipk-gatersleben.de).

What you need to know:
Everyone - independent from gender, sexual orientation, age, origin or a possible disability - is welcome. The IPK is striving to increase the proportion of women in sectors where they are underrepresented, and therefore explicitly encourages qualified women to apply. Also, qualified applicants with a disability will be given preference.

Your application:
We look forward to receiving your online application (http://www.ipk-gatersleben.de/en/job-offers/) until 01.08.2018.
If you have questions or require more information, please contact Ms. Jacobi (jobs@ipk-gatersleben.de) and indicate the reference number 35/04/18 in your correspondence

Further Reading:
Neumann et al. 2015: Dissecting spatio-temporal biomass accumulation in barley under different water regimes using high-throughput image analysis. Plant Cell Environ. 38 (2015) 1980-1996. dx.doi.org/10.1111/pce.12516
Neumann et al. 2017: Genetic architecture and temporal patterns of biomass accumulation in spring barley revealed by image analysis. BMC Plant Biol. 17, 137. dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12870-017-1085-4.

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Bachelor’s/ Master’s Theses and Internships in Digital Engineering: Design and implementation of generic RESTful-APIs for omics databases

Background:
The IPK hosts dozens of databases that manage millions of data points and cover terabytes of omics data from the last seven decades of plant research. High-throughput omics technologies produce genomics, phenomics, environmental and metabolomics data on a large scale. In this context, the research group “Bioinformatics and Information Technology” (BIT) is contributing towards the evolution of the IPK into a digital resource center which shares digital plant genetic resources as well as the developed technologies and services within the international research community.

Your tasks:
The thematic frame for theses is the design and implementaion of RESTful services that open institutional databases to provide self-describing data access. A reference implementation should be realized in a JVM-based programming language, preferably Java or Groovy. The use case focuses on API-level access as well as containerized export of genotyping and phenotyping datasets using the ISA concept. ISA is a generic concept to provide domain independend and self-describing data exchange of investigations (project context), studies (unit of research) and assays (measurement) of data entities. It supports data serialization as TSV files, JSON or RDF.

You fit to us:
• You are interested in contributing to this emerging field of data science and bioinformatics and would like to work on your bachlor’s or master’s thesis within the BIT research group.
• You are highly motivated and communicative and would like to improve your skills in enterprise-level software development and bioinformatics

We offer you:
• A cutting-edge, innovative research environment and a state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, comprising cloud-computing capacities, a HPC-ready server, enterprise-level database management, storage and web server infrastructure
• Compensation as a student research assistant for a max. of 6 months
• Housing near to the campus (subject to a fee and upon request)

If you need further information, feel free to contact Mr. Daniel Arend (arendd@ipk-gatersleben.de) Tel.: +49 (0)39482 5842.

What you need to know:
For us, your qualifications and strengths count. Therefore, everyone – independent from gender, origin, age, or possible disability – is welcome. The IPK is striving to increase the proportion of women in sectors where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages qualified women to apply. As an institution which has been awarded the Certificate for Career and Family (“berufundfamilie”), we offer family-friendly working conditions and flexible working hours. The IPK has set a goal to employ more people with disabilities. Qualified applicants with a disability will be given preference.

Your application:
We look forward to receiving your online application (http://www.ipk-gatersleben.de/en/job-offers/). If you have questions or require more information, please contact Ms. Jacobi (jobs@ipk-gatersleben.de) and indicate the reference number 26/03/18 in your correspondence.

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Postdoctoral Researcher in the Field of Plant Meiosis (f/m)

The independent research group Meiosis is interested in the process of plant meiosis that generates genetic variation through homologous recombination. To support our team, we are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral candidate.

Your tasks:
• You will be responsible, as a member of a team, for executing studies focused on the identification and functional analysis of posttranslational modifications of meiotic chromosome axis and synaptonemal complex proteins in Arabidopsis and barley.
• You will perform molecular cloning and plant transformations using biochemical and cytological methods.
• You will communicate with cooperation partners.
• You will present results at scientific meetings and write journal articles.

Your qualifications and skills:
• You are completing or have obtained a Ph.D. degree in the field of molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or a related discipline.
• You have a strong publication record.
• You have experience with plant models, molecular and cell biological techniques and/or biochemistry.
• Experience in the field(s) of meiosis and/or posttranslational protein modifications is highly desirable but not required. In general, quality of past research is more important than experience in a specific field.
• You possess solid English skills.

You fit to us:
• You are fascinated by plant biology and a highly-motivated person with team spirit.
• You want to build a career in science and you have a strong drive to succeed.
• You can organize your work independently.
• You have previously demonstrated the capacity to master the broad skill set necessary for the successful completion of a research project.
• You want to become a member of a young and dynamic team.

We offer you:
• The opportunity to work in a world-class research centre with state-of-the-art facilities and scientists from all over the world
• A friendly and productive working atmosphere
• A project-based position within an ERA-CAPS consortium, offering excellent scientific collaborations and providing a unique opportunity to deepen and broaden your research profile and advance your independent academic career
• A position, starting July 1st, 2018 or later, limited for 36 months
• A gross salary up to 100 % E13 TV-L

If you need further information please contact Dr. Stefan Heckmann (heckmann@ipk-gatersleben.de; +49 (0)39482 5608.

What you need to know:
For us, your qualifications and strengths count. Therefore, everyone – independent from gender, origin, age, or possible disability – is welcome. The IPK is striving to increase the proportion of women in sectors where they are underrepresented and thus explicitly encourages qualified women to apply. As an institution which has been awarded the Certificate for Career and Family (“berufundfamilie”), we offer family-friendly working conditions and flexible working hours. The IPK has set a goal to employ more people with disabilities. Qualified applicants with a disability are given preference.

Your application:
We are looking forward to receiving your online application (http://www.ipk-gatersleben.de/en/job-offers) until May 27th, 2018. If you have questions or require more information, please contact Ms. Jacobi (jobs@ipk-gatersleben.de). Please indicate the reference number 25/03/18 in your correspondence.

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Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB) is an international research institute located on the weinberg-campus of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany (www.ipb-halle.de). The IPB is a member of the Leibniz Association and a foundation under public law. The IPB-Department of Molecular Signal Processing invites applications to fill the position of Postdoctoral Research Associate.

Candidates must hold a PhD degree and should have thorough research training and relevant experience in one of the following areas: plant molecular biology/genetics, plant cell biology/physiology or protein biochemistry/structural biology. Applicants should be curious and creative and possess excellent analytical as well as communication skills, including fluency in English. The successful candidate will conduct and develop research in the field of either nutrient sensing, hormone action, or calcium signaling, depending on interest and expertise.

The appointment will be for three years. Salary and social/health benefits will be based on German law (public employees, TV-L E13). Please, contact Prof. Steffen Abel for additional information (sabel@ipb-halle.de; Phone: 0049 (0) 345 5582 1200).

Applications must include a cover letter describing research accomplishments and interests, a CV plus publication list, and contact details of 2-3 referees. Please, email a single pdf document quoting reference number 5/2018 to bewerbungen@ipb-halle.de. Review of applications will start immediately and continue until the position is filled. 

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PhD Student of Chromosome Biology (f/m)

The research group Chromosome Structure and Function studies chromosomes in interphase nuclei and dividing cells of model plants and cereal crops like Arabidopsis and barley, respectively, to understand the organization and function of chromatin during the cell cycle.

Your tasks:
• You will study three-dimensional organization of chromatin across the cell cycle using chromosome conformation capture sequencing and super-resolution microscopy
• You will prepare oligo-FISH probes to analyse the 3D organization of chromatin in interphase nuclei and metaphase chromosomes at the nanoscopic level.
• You will work in a German-Czech project together with specialists of flow-cytometry, Hi-C techniques, and bioinformatics.
• Your will present your results in scientific articles and at international conferences.

Your qualifications and skills:
• You have a master’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, or related fields.
• You possess knowledge of molecular, cytological and/or biochemical techniques. Experience working with plants (e.g., cereals, barley) is desired.
• You have a strong molecular-cytogenetic background.
• You have solid English skills, which is a prerequisite for effective work in our multicultural environment.

You fit to us:
• If you are a bright, highly motivated and enthusiastic person.
• If you are interested in chromosome research and microscopy and see your future in academic research.
• You have the ability to work independently, as well as part of a team.

We offer you:
• The opportunity to work in a modern research centre with state-of-the-art facilities.
• An interdisciplinary research environment at the intersection of life sciences, bioinformatics, and microscopy/nanoscopy.
• A project-based position limited to 36 months.
• A gross salary of 65% of up to E-13 TVL.

If you need further information, feel free to contact PD Dr. Veit Schubert (schubertv@ipk-gatersleben.de).

What you need to know:
For us, your qualifications and strengths count. Therefore, everyone – independent from gender, origin, age, or possible disability – is welcome. The IPK is striving to increase the proportion of women in sectors where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages qualified women to apply. As an institution which has been awarded the Certificate for Career and Family (“berufundfamilie”), we offer family-friendly working conditions and flexible working hours. The IPK has set a goal to employ more people with disabilities. Qualified applicants with a disability will be given preference.

Your application:
We are looking forward to receive your online-application (http://www.ipk-gatersleben.de/en/job-offers/).
If you have questions or require more information, please do contact Ms. Jacobi (jobs@ipk-gatersleben.de). Please indicate the reference number 06/01/18 in your correspondence

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