Postdoctoral Researcher Position in Plant Membrane Biochemistry and Chemoproteomics Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry in Germany

Postdoctoral Researcher Position—Plant Membrane Biochemistry and Chemoproteomics (m/f/d) at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB), Halle (Saale), Germany.

This is a full-time, three-year postdoctoral opening in the independent research group Receptor Biochemistry, led by Dr. Mariana Schuster. The project, FRONTERA, is funded through the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant / Horizon Europe) and investigates how proteolytic regulation shapes plant plasma-membrane receptor function and plant immune responses. The role is focused on the membrane biochemistry and chemoproteomics side of the project, with strong links to plant biology, biochemical method development, protease activity profiling, and mass spectrometry-based analysis.

The successful candidate will develop and optimise membrane preparation methods suitable for downstream chemoproteomics, apply activity-based protein profiling and LC-MS/MS proteomics to characterise membrane-associated protease activities, and connect biochemical results to immune responses in planta through collaboration across the group. The postdoctoral researcher will also co-supervise a doctoral researcher and contribute scientific presentations and publications.

Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent in biochemistry, plant science, molecular biology, chemical biology, or a closely related field. If the thesis has been submitted but not yet defended by the start date, candidates are still encouraged to apply. Essential experience includes solid hands-on protein biochemistry, interest in method development, mentoring interest, and excellent English communication skills; German is not required. Desirable expertise includes membrane protein handling, subcellular fractionation or membrane isolation, activity-based protein profiling, chemical probes, LC-MS/MS proteomics, plant systems, and proteomics data analysis using tools such as MaxQuant, FragPipe, Perseus, R, or Python.

The IPB is a non-university research institute of the Leibniz Association with strong infrastructure, including in-house mass spectrometry, and an international, interdisciplinary research environment. The institute is located on the Weinberg Campus of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg in Halle (Saale), Germany. The position offers TV-L E13 remuneration, annual special payment, pension contributions, professional training, flexible working hours, and home-office possibilities.

Application deadline information is given as 31 October 2026 in the job information, while the detailed description also states a continuing application process until the position is filled. Applicants should apply online via the provided application portal, and direct email applications are not accepted. Questions about the science or working arrangements can be sent to Mariana Schuster at [email protected].