The University of Cologne, one of Europe’s oldest and largest universities, is offering exciting PhD and Postdoctoral positions in Plant Genomics, Quantitative Genetics, and Evolutionary Research. These opportunities are hosted within the Institute for Plant Sciences and the Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), providing a dynamic and collaborative research environment. The Crop Evolution group, led by Professor Markus Stetter, focuses on evolutionary biology, population genetics, and genomics to understand plant adaptation and diversification, with major research themes including maize and amaranth domestication, crop evolution, and betalain pigment genetics.

PhD candidates will work on funded projects examining the evolution and adaptation of maize, utilizing genomic analysis, population and quantitative genetics, and multi-omics datasets. The position is part-time (65%) until December 2028, with salary based on TV-L 13. Applicants should have a Master’s degree in a relevant field, strong computational skills (Bash, R, Python), and interest in evolutionary biology and crop science. Postdoctoral researchers will join an ERC-funded project investigating the origins and regulatory mechanisms of betalain pigments, employing genomic and multi-omics analysis, including single-cell approaches. The full-time position runs until December 2027, also funded under TV-L 13. Candidates must hold a PhD in a related discipline and demonstrate expertise in population or quantitative genetics and omics data analysis.

The University of Cologne offers state-of-the-art facilities, a vibrant international research community, and extensive support for work-life balance, equal opportunity, and professional development. Researchers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, and German language proficiency is not required. Both positions provide opportunities to present research at conferences and collaborate across CEPLAS and other research groups.

Application deadline is 14 December 2025. For more information and to apply, visit the official job portal links provided. Highlight your experience in statistical genetics, bioinformatics, scientific publication, and motivation for working with maize, amaranth, or betalain pigments in your application. These positions are ideal for candidates passionate about plant genomics, evolutionary genetics, and computational biology, seeking to advance their academic careers in a leading European research hub.