PhD Student in Quantitative Genetics | PhD Student (f/m/d)

Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzen- genetik und Kulturpflanzen- forschung (IPK)

Gatersleben, Sachsen-Anhalt, Deutschland
Published Mar 12, 2026
Part-time
Fixed-term

Job Summary

This PhD position within the Quantitative Genetics research group focuses on developing innovative statistical genomics toolboxes to analyze the genetic architecture of elite winter wheat populations. The successful candidate will spend their day-to-day combining large-scale genotypic and phenotypic data with biological information to create data-mining approaches that address computational bottlenecks in crop breeding. Key requirements include a Master’s degree in a quantitative biological field, hands-on experience with crop genomics, and proficiency in R or Python for biostatistical modeling. This role is highly attractive for researchers seeking to work in a world-class center with state-of-the-art facilities and a diverse international team. The position offers a 3-year contract starting in May 2026, providing a stable platform for high-impact scientific discovery in plant breeding and adaptation-related traits.

Required Skills

Education

Master of Science (MSc) in plant science, plant breeding, biology, or a related quantitative field.

Experience

  • Professional experience in crop genomics and managing genotyping data
  • Initial experience with biostatistics methods, specifically mixed-models
  • Practical experience in data analysis using programming languages like R or Python
  • Experience working in collaborative, multi-disciplinary research environments

Languages

English (Fluent)

Additional

  • Foreign qualifications must undergo a German equivalence test (ZAB statement of comparability). The position is a fixed-term 3-year contract starting earliest 01.05.2026. Application deadline is 25.03.2026.