Open position: Postdoctoral Expert in Bioinformatics – Deadline 25 April 2024

With its work, the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) contributes to a better understanding of plant systems and thus to the development of sustainable and resilient horticulture. The IGZ conducts research at the interface between plants, humans, and the environment. In doing so, we address systemic and global challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, urbanization, and malnutrition. We provide scientifically sound recommendations for healthy agri-food systems and sustainable interactions with the environment. The IGZ brings together a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines. Employees with different backgrounds conduct research in national and international research co-operations. The IGZ is based in Großbeeren near Potsdam and near Berlin and is a member of the Leibniz Association.

At IGZ, several research groups are involved with the study of adaptive plant responses to changes in their abiotic and biotic environment using various omics approaches, including transcriptomics, metagenomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. To strengthen our capacity in applying these technologies, we are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Postdoctoral Expert (f/m/div) in Bioinformatics, Reference number: 11/2024/D.

The employment will be initially from the earliest possible date and will be initially for two years with prospect of a permanent position upon a satisfactory evaluation of your performance after 1.5 years using IGZ criteria for research infrastructure postdoctoral careers. The salary will be based on qualification and research experience according to the wage agreement TV-L, up to pay scale 13, full time. The position is suitable for part-time work with at least 32 hours / week.

This position will be embedded in the newly started science support platform (SSP) which is placed directly under the scientific director. Currently, the IGZ SSP comprises three postdoctoral scientists with expertise in proteomics, metabolomics, and volatile analysis. They main task of the SSP will be to support IGZ groups by providing training, expert advice, and technical expertise. In addition, it will be possible to develop your own research line for up to 50% of your time.

• supporting and advising projects of IGZ researchers with your bioinformatics expertise, ranging from experimental planning via data analyses to support with the interpretation of the results
• developing workflows, pipelines, and code for data processing and analysis
• providing training in bioinformatic analyses to IGZ scientists and graduate schools associated with IGZ
• presentations to national and international audiences
• (co-)writing scientific publications in internationally peer-reviewed journals
• supporting the acquisition of project funding at IGZ
• advising users on data and code sharing in open access repositories following FAIR principles
• networking with Leibniz, national and international research institutes, and organizations
• together with the other SSP members: developing structured processes and strategies for the SSP

• a PhD in bioinformatics or a PhD in biological sciences during which you gained extensive expertise in bioinformatics
• expertise in the processing and analysis of high-throughput data as documented by your publication record, in particular in one or more of these fields: computational genomics, transcriptomics, metagenomics, meta-transcriptomics, proteomics, or metabolomics
• writing code for omics-data processing as documented on GitHub
• experience in teaching or training in bioinformatics
• a responsible personality and excellent communication skills
• excellent knowledge of the English language, in speaking and writing, as evidenced by your publication record
• proficiency in the German language is of advantage
• readiness to integrate into an international working environment

• an inspiring and dynamic research environment, including state-of-the art research facilities
• support in developing a career in research infrastructures as defined by Leibniz and IGZ guidelines
• clear and transparent criteria for performance evaluation
• a vibrant and international community of scientists close to Berlin and Potsdam
• flexible and family-friendly working time models and the possibility of mobile working (up to 50% of working time)
• subsidy for the company ticket for local public transport or the Germany ticket

More information on the IGZ can be found at www.igzev.de. For questions, please contact Prof. Nicole van Dam (vandam@igzev.de; phone: +49 33701 78-105).

We encourage a healthy work-life balance. The IGZ attaches great importance to equal opportunities. The IGZ embraces diversity in its workforce and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, irrespective of age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, world view, disability, and belief or ethnic origin.

We prefer to receive applications including a motivation letter, your CV, copies of relevant certificates, and the names and addresses of two references by e-mail to bewerbung@igzev.de in PDF format by April 25, 2024. Our postal address is: Leibniz-Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Personalbüro, Theodor-Echtermeyer-Weg 1, D-14979 Großbeeren.