Independent Junior Research Group Leader in Plant Cell Biology (University of Göttingen)

At the University of Göttingen -Public Law Foundation-, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institut für Pflanzenwissenschaften - Zellbiologie d.Pflanze, there is a position as Independent Junior Research Group Leader (all genders welcome) Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L/100% to be filled. Starting date is 1/1/2027. The position is is initially limited to three years, with the possibility of extension for an additional three years following a successful interim evaluation. Employment conditions are governed by the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG). The successful candidate should have a research profile in the field of Mechanisms of Biotic and/or Abiotic Stress Biology in Plants that complements and strengthens the research activities of the host departments, Plant Cell Biology (Prof. Lipka) and Molecular Stress Physiology of Plants (Prof. Balazadeh). Suitable topics include, but are not limited to, molecular mechanisms of plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress, plant–beneficial microbe interactions, and the influence of beneficial or pathogenic microorganisms on plant stress resilience and adaptation. Your Profile An outstanding university degree, an excellent doctoral degree, and/or exceptional scientific achievements during postdoctoral training in molecular plant sciences, plant stress biology, or a closely related discipline. An excellent international publication record demonstrating scientific independence and future leadership potential. Initial experience in acquiring third-party funding is advantageous but not required. Excellent communication and leadership skills, as well as professional proficiency in both German and English. Responsibilities and Opportunities Independent Research Development and leadership of an independent, internationally competitive research program. Acquisition of External Funding Commitment to actively and independently securing competitive third-party funding (e.g., DFG, EU/ERC, and foundations) to support the research group, including participation in future national and international research consortia led by or involving Göttingen life science research groups. Teaching and Supervision Appropriate participation in university teaching and the supervision of Bachelor’s and Master’s theses as well as doctoral candidates, corresponding to a teaching load of 4 semester hours per week (4 SWS). Interdisciplinary Engagement Representation of your research field within the national and international scientific community. What We Offer Academic Freedom An excellent research environment and the intellectual freedom to establish and lead your own research program. Resources and Infrastructure An attractive core budget, office and laboratory space in the Schwann-Schleiden Research Centre for Molecular Cell Biology, access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, and outstanding research infrastructure, including climate chambers, the faculty’s microscopy platform located in the building, and additional facilities on Göttingen’s North Campus. Career Development Dedicated mentoring programs, grant-writing and professional development training, opportunities for scientific career advancement, and the possibility of pursuing a habilitation. For further information, please contact: Prof. Dr. Salma Balazadeh (salma.balazadeh@uni-goettingen.de) or Prof. Dr. Volker Lipka (vlipka@gwdg.de) Application Please submit your complete application documents (including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, publication list, academic certificates, contact details of two referees, and a two-page outline of your future research program) as a single PDF file. The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply in fields in which they are underrepresented. The university has committed itself to being a family-friendly institution and supports their employees in balancing work and family life. The University is particularly committed to the professional participation of severely disabled employees and therefore welcomes applications from severely disabled people. In the case of equal qualifications, applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preference. A disability or equality is to be included in the application in order to protect the interests of the applicant. Please upload your application in one pdf file including the usual documents until 9/15/2026 on the application portal of the university using this link: http://obp.uni-goettingen.de/de-de/OBF/Index/76569. For more information get in touch with Volker Lipka directly via E-Mail: Volker.Lipka@biologie.uni-goettingen.de, Tel. +49 551 3928401 . Please note: With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in terms of data-protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the Information General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) PDF-Download Click here for the PDF-Download If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Bioloxy

At the University of Göttingen -Public Law Foundation-, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institut für Pflanzenwissenschaften - Zellbiologie d.Pflanze, there is a position as

Independent Junior Research Group Leader (all genders welcome)
Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L/100%

to be filled. Starting date is 1/1/2027. The position is is initially limited to three years, with the possibility of extension for an additional three years following a successful interim evaluation.

Employment conditions are governed by the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG).

The successful candidate should have a research profile in the field of Mechanisms of Biotic and/or Abiotic Stress Biology in Plants that complements and strengthens the research activities of the host departments, Plant Cell Biology (Prof. Lipka) and Molecular Stress Physiology of Plants (Prof. Balazadeh).
Suitable topics include, but are not limited to, molecular mechanisms of plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress, plant–beneficial microbe interactions, and the influence of beneficial or pathogenic microorganisms on plant stress resilience and adaptation.

Your Profile

An outstanding university degree, an excellent doctoral degree, and/or exceptional scientific achievements during postdoctoral training in molecular plant sciences, plant stress biology, or a closely related discipline.
An excellent international publication record demonstrating scientific independence and future leadership potential.
Initial experience in acquiring third-party funding is advantageous but not required.
Excellent communication and leadership skills, as well as professional proficiency in both German and English.

Responsibilities and Opportunities

Independent Research
Development and leadership of an independent, internationally competitive research program.
Acquisition of External Funding
Commitment to actively and independently securing competitive third-party funding (e.g., DFG, EU/ERC, and foundations) to support the research group, including participation in future national and international research consortia led by or involving Göttingen life science research groups.
Teaching and Supervision
Appropriate participation in university teaching and the supervision of Bachelor’s and Master’s theses as well as doctoral candidates, corresponding to a teaching load of 4 semester hours per week (4 SWS).
Interdisciplinary Engagement
Representation of your research field within the national and international scientific community.

What We Offer

Academic Freedom
An excellent research environment and the intellectual freedom to establish and lead your own research program.
Resources and Infrastructure
An attractive core budget, office and laboratory space in the Schwann-Schleiden Research Centre for Molecular Cell Biology, access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, and outstanding research infrastructure, including climate chambers, the faculty’s microscopy platform located in the building, and additional facilities on Göttingen’s North Campus.
Career Development
Dedicated mentoring programs, grant-writing and professional development training, opportunities for scientific career advancement, and the possibility of pursuing a habilitation.

For further information, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Salma Balazadeh (salma.balazadeh@uni-goettingen.de) or
Prof. Dr. Volker Lipka (vlipka@gwdg.de)

Application
Please submit your complete application documents (including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, publication list, academic certificates, contact details of two referees, and a two-page outline of your future research program) as a single PDF file.

The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply in fields in which they are underrepresented. The university has committed itself to being a family-friendly institution and supports their employees in balancing work and family life. The University is particularly committed to the professional participation of severely disabled employees and therefore welcomes applications from severely disabled people. In the case of equal qualifications, applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preference. A disability or equality is to be included in the application in order to protect the interests of the applicant.

Please upload your application in one pdf file including the usual documents until 9/15/2026 on the application portal of the university using this link: http://obp.uni-goettingen.de/de-de/OBF/Index/76569. For more information get in touch with Volker Lipka directly via E-Mail: Volker.Lipka@biologie.uni-goettingen.de, Tel. +49 551 3928401 .

Please note:
With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in terms of data-protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the Information General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)