Summary
The University of Bern, Switzerland, is seeking a highly motivated plant scientist for an 80-100% postdoctoral position in digital plant phenotyping. This role combines plant experiments with computational biology, focusing on developing methods to measure plant growth and traits from 3D models generated from smartphone videos. The successful candidate will join the Biotic Interactions Group and collaborate with the Computer Vision Group, integrating digital phenotyping with chemical ecology research.
Designation
Postdoctoral Researcher
Research Area
- Digital Plant Phenotyping
- Plant 3D Reconstruction
- Computational Biology
- Chemical Ecology
- Biotic Interactions
Location
University of Bern, Institute of Plant Sciences, Bern, Switzerland
Eligibility/Qualification
What we expect:
- A PhD in plant sciences, biology, or a related field, with a strong research background in plant science. The PhD must be completed by the start date.
- Demonstrated experience in growing plants, running controlled experiments, and measuring plant traits.
- Proficiency in experimental design, data management, and statistical analysis.
- A keen interest in computational biology and a willingness to acquire skills in estimating plant traits from 3D models.
- Evidence of original scientific work and clear, effective writing and communication skills in English.
- Ability to organize work independently and collaborate effectively with researchers from diverse fields.
Job Description
The postdoctoral researcher will be integral to the ongoing Plant 3D Reconstruction project. Key responsibilities include:
- Conducting plant experiments, collecting images, and precisely measuring plant traits.
- Developing and testing models to estimate plant traits from 3D plant models.
- Integrating this work with research on volatile dynamics to explore connections between plant architecture and chemical signaling.
- The role is equally split between hands-on plant experiments and computational analysis, with dedicated support from specialists in computer vision and data science.
- Analyzing research results and contributing significantly to scientific publications.
What we offer:
- An 80-100% postdoctoral appointment extending until 31 December 2028.
- A balanced workload between plant experiments and computational tasks.
- Access to state-of-the-art plant growth facilities and expert support from computer vision and data analysis specialists.
- Comprehensive scientific mentoring and valuable opportunities to learn advanced computational methods and lead publications.
- Salary in accordance with the regulations of the University of Bern.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a single PDF document containing the following:
- Your Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A concise motivation letter, detailing your plant science experience and your interest in computational biology and this specific project.
- A summary of your three main scientific achievements.
- Contact details for two academic references.
The total file size must not exceed 10 MB.
For questions regarding the position, please contact Prof. Matthias Erb at matthias.erb@unibe.ch.
Last Date for Apply
The position is open until filled. Early applications are encouraged.
