In the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Dr. Tom Schreiber invites applications for a PhD-position in a three-year DFG-funded project:

PhD position in biology (m/f/d)
(Salary group E13 TV-L, part-time 65%, limited for 3 years, start: as soon as possible)


Who we are:
Our Team develops synthetic and programmable tools for precision genome editing, transcriptome modulation, and sensor-based Reporters. Our expertise spans RNA-guided nucleases, TALE architectures, Argonaute proteins, and emerging RNA-guided systems, which we apply to uncover fundamental principles of protein-nucleic acid interactions and translate them into robust biotechnological applications. We also focus on DNA double-strand break repair and the development of transient, transgene-free delivery strategies to enable precise, HDR-based genome engineering in plants. By integrating synthetic biology, genome repair engineering, and advanced nucleic-acid tool development, we aim to advance scalable and sustainable biotechnology in plants and other eukaryotic systems.

The Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB) is a non-university research institution of the Leibniz Association on the Weinberg Campus of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. As a foundation under public law, the IPB is under direct supervision of the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The IPB is an internationally recognized research institution and consists of four scientific Departments and additional independent research groups (approx. 200 employees, including around 40 doctoral students). Research at the IPB aims to understand the (bio)chemical basis of plant resilience and performance in challenging environments related to climate change. The IPB offers excellent research facilities and state-of-the-art infrastructure to study the chemical diversity, biochemical interactions and biological functions of small natural product molecules in plants and fungi (https://www.ipb-halle.de/en/). Research topic:
Precise genome editing in plants holds strong potential for plant breeding and basic research. Tools like CRISPR-Cas9 excel at gene knockouts but struggle with precise genome modifications via ho-mologous recombination. Precise genome editing relies on homology-directed repair (HDR), which is underutilized due to the dominance of DNA end-joining (EJ) pathways, specifically classical (cNHEJ) and alternative (aNHEJ) mechanisms. These end joining mechanisms are also required for stable integration of Agrobacterium-delivered T-DNAs into plant genomes, the established method for plant genome editing which goes along with unwanted stable integration of foreign genetic material (transgenes). The goal of this project is to develop and apply efficient molecular tools to modulate undesired plant internal DNA-EJ processes to increase the frequency of precise HDR-based genome editing events during plant transformation. Modulation of DNA-EJ-processes will also reduce or even prevent unwanted stable integration of T-DNAs, enabling transgene-free precise genome editing in plants. The long term goal is to establish precise and transgene-free genome editing in higher plants as a routine method.

Your tasks:

Design, clone and test synthetic tools, tailored for plant factors involved in EJ-processes
Establish and apply the Bindcraft pipeline for the de novo design of peptide binders
Inhibitor screening via transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana reporter lines
Inhibitor-application in stable gene editing approaches using Arabidopsis thaliana reporter lines
Presentation and publication of scientific data
Your profile:

Diploma or master’s degree in biology, biochemistry, or closely related field
Open mindset and enthusiasm for scientific work and work within a team
Independent and solution-oriented work ethic
Very good English language skills (written and spoken)
Ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
Desirable knowle...