Summary
The research group of Prof. Dr. Björn Usadel at Institute IBG-4 within Forschungszentrum Jülich (embedded in the CEPLAS Cluster of Excellence) is seeking an ambitious plant biologist with single-cell and/or spatial omics expertise. The role focuses on building a visible research profile at the intersection of plant stress biology, specialized metabolites, spatial omics, and data integration. Depending on experience and career goals, this role can be structured as a postdoctoral position, senior scientist, or independence-track role with long-term development prospects and grant application support.
Postdoctoral Researcher / Senior Scientist in the field of plant single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, Jülich, Germany
Designation
- Postdoctoral Researcher / Senior Scientist (Independence-track options available)
Overview Table
| Parameter | Details |
| Organization | Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH (IBG-4 / CEPLAS) |
| Position Title | Postdoctoral Researcher / Senior Scientist |
| Index Number | 2026T-0615 |
| Place of Employment | Jülich, Germany |
| Working Hours | 39 Hours / Week |
| Salary / Pay Grade | EG 13–14 TVöD-Bund |
| Contract Duration | Initial 2 years (extendable up to 5–6 years) |
| Application Deadline | August 23, 2026 |
Research Area
- Primary Focus: Plant Omics, Single-Cell & Spatial Transcriptomics, Data Integration, Biological Data Science.
- Topics & Model Systems: Plant stress biology, specialized plant metabolism, plant-plant interactions (e.g., Cuscuta infection), Solanales crops, tea, and Camelina sativa.
Location
- Jülich, Germany (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH)
Eligibility / Qualification
- Education: Master’s and PhD in Plant Biology, Molecular Biology, Genomics, or a closely related field.
- Core Requirement: Hands-on experimental experience working with plants is essential.
- Technical Expertise:
- Experience with single-cell or single-nucleus RNA sequencing.
- Experience with bioinformatics pipelines for omics data analysis (e.g., Seurat, Scanpy).
- Familiarity with spatial transcriptomics platforms is a plus.
- Language & Skills: Excellent written and spoken English (C1/C2 level CEFR); strong analytical, organizational, independent, and collaborative skills.
Job Description
- Develop and optimize single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing workflows in plants.
- Co-develop spatial transcriptomics protocols and integrative analyses alongside CEPLAS collaborators.
- Design and execute experiments studying plant stress responses, metabolic pathways, or plant-plant interactions.
- Publish research outcomes in high-impact journals and present findings at international conferences.
- Prepare personal and collaborative grant proposals (e.g., DFG Emmy Noether, ERC Starting Grant, Helmholtz Young Investigator Group) with institute support.
How to Apply
- Online Application: Submit your application directly through the Forschungszentrum Jülich Job Portal.
- Inquiries: For questions regarding the position, contact Björn Usadel via email at
b.usadel@fz-juelich.de.
Last Date to Apply
- August 23, 2026
