An der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Stiftung Öffentlichen Rechts – DNPW - Abt. Agrarentomologie ist ab dem 01.04.2026 eine Stelle alswissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in (w/m/d)- Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L - in Teilzeit mit 65% der regelmäßigen wöchentlichen Arbeitszeit zu besetzen. Die Stelle ist befristet bis 31.03.2030.Employment is subject to the final approval of project funding.

Topic: “Influence of single & dual abiotic stress on plant volatile emission, attraction of stem borer females & their parasitoids”

The candidate (m, w, d) will contribute to the DFG Research Unit “MultiStress” by experimentally assessing single and combined effects of drought, nitrogen deficiency and insect infestation on maize volatile emission, attraction of stem borer pests (Ostrinia nubilalis, Busseola fusca) and their natural enemies.
The DFG Research Unit “MultiStress - Concurrent multiple abiotic and biotic stress interactions in maize: impacts and mechanisms” (RU 6101, pending final approval on 11 December 2025) investigates how maize responds to multiple, interacting abiotic (e.g., drought, nitrogen deficit) and biotic (e.g., stem borer) stress factors. Through an integrated experimental–modelling approach with different maize cultivars, the project aims to improve our understanding and prediction of crop performance under complex stress environments. Parallel field experiments using rainout shelters will be conducted in Germany and Kenia and it will be your task to collect volatiles and assess stem borer infestation and parasitization rates in these experiments. Field data will be combined with behavioral trials and volatile collections under controlled laboratory conditions. Repeated research stays in Kenya will offer you valuable international experience within a globally relevant research context.
MultiStress brings together the expertise of several crop science departments in an interdisciplinary collaboration. You will work within an engaged, international team on scientifically and societally relevant questions to improve the stress resistance of maize – at the interface of plant physiology, entomology, and sustainable agriculture.

Main Tasks

Working on multitrophic interactions between maize, stem borers and their parasitoids
Managing inoculation trials and volatile collections in the field, greenhouse and climate chambers in Germany and Kenya
Monitoring natural stem borer infestation in the field
Conducting behavioral assays with pests and parasitoids
Identification of main stem borer parasitoids in Kenya and Germany based on morphological and/or genetic traits
Establishing of parasitoid rearing from field collected individuals
Publishing your research in international peer-reviewed journals

Required Qualifications:


Master’s degree in agriculture, biology, or a similar field.
Experience in plant-insect biology and chemical ecology
Very good scientific writing skills in English
Experience with statistic programs, preferably R

Preferred Experiences and Skills:


Volatile collection and analysis (GC-MS)
Behavioral assays with insects
Proficiency in data analysis (anova, glm, glmm in R)
Experience with molecular methods or insect identification would be a plus
Enjoys traveling between Kenya and Germany
Self-motivated and well-organized
Ability to work in a large, international team
Valid driver’s license

We offer:


A dynamic, interdisciplinary, internationally leading and pioneering research environment within the DFG Research Unit MultiStress, which consists of research consortium of ten universities /research organisations from Germany, Kenya, Italy (+ CIMMYT), representing all important disciplines of crop science
Excellent supervision and training opportunities in chemical ecology, entomology, data analysis & interpretation, and scientific communication.
The possibility to work in an interdisciplinary and international team, consisting of 13 PhD-students and numerous senior scientists from different disciplines
Join specific project thematic workshops on a range of topics (e.g. statistical analysis, modelling, molecular methods and hyperspectral imaging)
Opportunities for unique international collaboration around maize and participation in international conferences
a four-year PhD position (65% TV-L E13)


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 26.01.2026 ausschließlich über das Bewerbungsportal http://obp.uni-goettingen.de/de-de/OBF/Index/76203 ein. Auskunft erteilt Frau Ilka Vosteen, E-Mail: ilka.vosteen@uni-goettingen.de, Tel. +49 551 3923870Hinweis: 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)