May we introduce ourselves to you? We, Geisenheim University, are a university of the state of Hesse with around 1,800 students and 550 employees. Our university offers a range of teaching and research in the fields of plants, landscape, food and beverages that is unique in Germany.
We develop strategies for a sustainable and liveable future. In doing so, we make a meaningful contribution to social transformation that takes into account the future-oriented requirements of climate, landscape and food. Are you looking for a challenging and varied job in a personal atmosphere characterized by collegiality?
Would you like to work in an innovative environment whose tradition has been geared towards sustainability for over 150 years? Then shape the future with us as Doctoral student in the field of epi-/genomics and genetics in grapevine (m/f/d) at the Institute for Breeding of Horticultural Crops.
Where? Geisenheim in the cultural region Rheingau (50 km west of Frankfurt/Main) When? From the next possible date How? Doctoral researcher (65 % E13), 3 years fixed-term (§ 2 Abs.1 WissZeitVG) Riesling and Burgundy varieties have played an essential role in viticulture for many hundreds of years. Over centuries, they have been propagated clonally via cuttings, which has produced many clones that vary in their expression of important viticultural traits.
Grapevine breeding exploits this variation through clonal selection, which is an important breeding tool for maintaining and improving traditional grapevine varieties. However, the genomic factors that underpin trait variation are largely unknown. To gain new insights into the molecular basis of clonal variation in grapevine and to develop new improved clonal selection strategies, this project called “EpiGrape”, funded by the Forschungsring des Deutschen Weinbaus (FDW), will develop and adopt modern epi-/genomic tools and quantitative genetic approaches in large collections of clones with extensive historical and newly generated phenotype data.
This also includes new tools for digital phenotyping of bunch architectural traits. The outcomes of this project will provide new insights into the genetic architecture of important traits and will serve as a basis for new breeding approaches that can help to accelerate the improvement of traditional grape varieties. Extensive clone collections, as well as the Institute’s field trial station and molecular biology labs are available for this project.
The position is fixed-term for three years and is closely linked to the transdisciplinary LOEWE Start Professorship of Prof. Voss- Fels for Breeding of Horticultural Crops, which embeds the position in a large interdisciplinary group of scientists and engineers from different areas of research and breeding.
Your profile – our requirements:
Successfully completed university studies in a field relevant to molecular biology and/or statistical genetics, e.g. agricultural sciences, horticultural sciences, biology, bioinformatics, genetics, biotechnology (M.Sc. or university diploma). Fluent in English in speech and writing. Knowledge about tools and techniques to generate, evaluate and interpret genomic data sets is an advantage. Good background knowledge in at least one of the following areas is desirable: genomics, bioinformatics, quantitative genetics, molecular genetics or biotechnology
Knowledge of molecular biology tools, especially the generation and use of molecular data from next-generation sequencing approaches in breeding is desirableKnowledge of or a strong interest in learning coding and/or programming languages (e.g. R, Python or similar) and/or computer software for data analysis (e.g. Plink, GATK or similar) desirable Experience in working with high-performance computing environments is an advantage
High interest in presenting and publishing results in national and international scientific journals, as well as journals of professional practice, for the public and project sponsors Willingness to undertake business trips to field stations (driving licence class B) desirable
Our offer – your opportunity:
Security – employment in the public sector with remuneration (depending on professional experience and qualifications) up to pay group 13 TV-H and a company pension scheme. Meaningfullness – responsible task in a practical project to secure the future of viticulture in and outside Germany in an interdisciplinary motivated team. Prospects – personal, needs-oriented promotion through extensive training and further education opportunities; possibility of a doctorate
Flexibility – individual working time models (work-life balance), generally the possibility of mobile working after familiarisation and 30 days’ holiday. Mobility – LandesTicket Hessen 2023 and 2024 for free use of local and regional public transport within Hesse. Feel-good factor – a sense of belonging as “Geisenheimer ” through a familiar environment on the green campus with listed parks and buildings, coupled with the warmth of the Rheingau.
To apply:
Does this sound interesting to you? Then send your application (as a PDF file) to bewerbung@hs-gm.de by September 13, 2023, quoting the reference number 68/2023. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have any initial questions (also regarding the processing of your application data, see data protection information/application data), please do not hesitate to contact the following persons: Institute for Breeding of Horticultural Crops Prof. Dr. Kai Voss-Fels Tel.: +49 (0) 6722 502-532 E-Mail: kai.voss-fels@hs-gm.de
Job application management Aline Wenzl/ Verena Klein Tel.: +49 (0)6722 502-2291/2292 E-Mail: bewerbung@hs-gm.de Geisenheim University
Human Resources Von-Lade-Straße 1, 65366 Geisenheim For us, your profile and your strengths count. That is why we welcome every person regardless of characteristics such as gender, age and origin or disability. People with disabilities (as defined in § 2 Para. 2 and 3 SGB IX) are given preferential consideration if they are equally qualified. Geisenheim University is a university that has been audited as “family-friendly” and is committed to diversity, equal rights for all genders and the compatibility of work and family. Therefore, we expressly encourage women with appropriate qualifications to apply.