An der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Stiftung Öffentlichen Rechts – Albrecht von Haller Institut Abteilung Molekulare Stressphysiologie der Pflanzen ist ab dem 01.04.2026 eine Stelle alsResearch assistant (all genders welcome)- Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L - in Vollzeit (teilzeitgeeignet) zu besetzen. Die Stelle ist befristet bis .Project description

Plants exposed to a mild heat stress can “remember” this experience and respond more effectively to a later, more severe stress. This thermomemory enables plants to maintain protection, stabilize essential processes, and recover more efficiently. Understanding how thermomemory is established and maintained is key to improving plant resilience as heat waves become more frequent.
Our project investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying thermomemory in Arabidopsis thaliana. Through natural variation, we have identified lines with enhanced thermotolerance, and genetic analyses have revealed candidate causal genes. In parallel, our reverse genetics work has uncovered novel transcription factors likely involved in regulating thermomemory.

The postdoctoral researcher will build on these findings by:
Functionally characterizing the identified candidate genes and transcription factors
Dissecting their downstream regulatory pathways using molecular, genetic, and cellular approaches
Driving discoveries, including identifying additional regulators and uncovering previously unknown pathways that shape thermomemory
and contribute to improved heat stress resilience


Your Tasks

Independent planning, execution, and analysis of experiments focused on the identification of regulators of thermomemory in plants
Performing genetic analyses, including BSA and QTL mapping, to identify causal genes underlying the superior thermomemory of selected Arabidopsis accessions
Functional characterization of newly identified transcription factors and their downstream pathways involved in thermomemory
Analysis, interpretation, and organization of scientific datasets, as well as writing manuscripts for publication
Contribution to grant acquisition, including assisting in the preparation of funding proposals
Teaching support, including participation in practical courses for Medical students (the Bachelor programs in Biology and Biochemistry, and the Master’s program in Molecular Life Sciences, as well as supervising students in the Vertiefungspraktikum
Conducting literature research and preparing scientific reports and presentations
Contributing to the scientific supervision of the laboratory and supporting the independent organization and coordination of workflows



What We Are Looking For


Requirements include a completed university degree in Plant Molecular Biology, Plant Sciences, Genetics, or a related discipline and a completed doctoral degree (PhD) or PhD close to completion, ideally with the thesis submitted
Strong experience in molecular biology and genetics, including BSA, QTL mapping, or related genetic approaches
Experience with RNA-seq data analysis (experimental design, data processing, or downstream analysis)
Expertise or strong interest in plant stress biology, particularly heat stress, thermotolerance, or thermomemory
Experience with functional characterization of genes, transcription factors, or signaling pathways
Interest in supervising students and contributing to teaching activities in practical courses
Strong organizational skills, a structured and reliable working style, and the ability to work both independently and in a team
Motivation to contribute to grant writing and collaborative research activities
Very good command of English and German (written and spoken)
A proactive mindset, scientific curiosity, and enthusiasm for working in an international and interdisciplinary research environment


Die Universität Göttingen strebt in den Bereichen, in denen Frauen unterrepräsentiert sind, eine Erhöhung des Frauenanteils an und fordert daher qualifizierte Frauen nachdrücklich zur Bewerbung auf. Sie versteht sich zudem als familienfreundliche Hochschule und fördert die Vereinbarkeit von Wissenschaft/Beruf und Familie. Der beruflichen Teilhabe von schwerbehinderten Beschäftigten sieht sich die Universität in besondere Weise verpflichtet und begrüßt deshalb Bewerbungen schwerbehinderter Menschen. Bei gleicher Qualifikation erhalten Bewerbungen von Menschen mit Schwerbehinderung den Vorzug. Eine Behinderung bzw. Gleichstellung ist zur Wahrung der Interessen bereits in die Bewerbung aufzunehmen.Bitte reichen Sie Ihre aussagekräftige Bewerbung mit allen wichtigen Unterlagen bis zum 02.01.2026 ausschließlich über das Bewerbungsportal http://obp.uni-goettingen.de/de-de/OBF/Index/76214 ein. Auskunft erteilt Frau Salma Balazadeh, E-Mail: salma.balazadeh@uni-goettingen.de, Tel. +49 55139-28421Hinweis: Wir weisen darauf hin, dass die Einreichung der Bewerbung eine datenschutzrechtliche Einwilligung in die Verarbeitung Ihrer Bewerbungsdaten durch uns darstellt. Näheres zur Rechtsgrundlage und Datenverwendung finden Sie im Hinweisblatt zur Datenschutzgrundverordnung (DSGVO)