Publisher
source

Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzenbiochemie

Just Landed

Postdoctoral Researcher Position: N-terminomics and Protease Degradomics (m/f/d) Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry in Germany

Degree Level

Postdoc

Field of study

Molecular Biology

Funding

Available

Deadline

Oct 31, 2026

Country flag

Country

Germany

University

Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzenbiochemie

Social connections

How do I apply for this?

Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.

More information can be found here

Keywords

Molecular Biology
Chemistry
Biology
Mass Spectrometry
Plant Immunity
Protease

Suggested positions

About this position

Postdoctoral Researcher Position in N-terminomics and Protease Degradomics at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry in Halle, Germany.

The independent research group Receptor Biochemistry, led by Dr. Mariana Schuster, is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher for the ERC-funded FRONTERA project. The project investigates how proteolytic regulation controls plant plasma-membrane receptor function and plant immune responses, with a focus on the proteases that cut proteins and the substrates they process. The role is embedded in a small, international, interdisciplinary group working across plant science, biochemistry, chemistry, and computational analysis.

The successful candidate will lead the degradomics side of the project and establish a terminomics workflow in plant samples to identify cleaved substrates and cleavage sites. The work includes optimisation of sample workflows, data analysis in collaboration with the in-house mass spectrometry facility, biochemical validation of cleavage events, and connection of proteolytic processing to immune signalling. The postdoc will also co-supervise a doctoral researcher and contribute to scientific presentations and publications.

The position is full-time (100%), paid according to E13 TV-L, and limited to 3 years. The expected start date is 1 January 2027. The application deadline is listed as 31 October 2026 in the job information, while the detailed description also notes a continuing deadline from 4 October 2026 until filled.

Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent in biochemistry, analytical chemistry, molecular biology, plant science, or a closely related field. Strong practical experience in MS-based proteomics is essential, alongside excellent English. German is not required. Experience in terminomics/degradomics, protease biochemistry, quantitative proteomics, scripting for proteomics analysis, and work with plant material are desirable. The post is suited to researchers who enjoy combining wet-lab method development with computational analysis and collaborative biology.

The institute offers excellent facilities, an international environment, flexible working arrangements, professional training, TV-L compensation including annual special payment, a company pension contribution (VBL), and health promotion options. Halle (Saale) is described as a green, walkable city with low living costs and good connections to Leipzig and Berlin.

Funding details

Available

What's required

A doctoral degree in biochemistry, analytical chemistry, molecular biology, plant science or a closely related field is required; candidates with a submitted but not yet defended thesis may apply if they can explain their timeline. Applicants should have substantial hands-on experience in MS-based proteomics, be able to work independently from sample preparation through data analysis, have excellent written and spoken English, and show interest in mentoring a doctoral researcher. Desirable experience includes terminomics or degradomics, protease biochemistry, quantitative proteomics with isobaric or metabolic labelling, scripting for proteomics data analysis in R or Python, search engines and downstream statistics, adapting or establishing proteomics workflows for new sample types, working with plant material, and supervision or teaching experience. German is not required.

How to apply

Apply online via the provided application portal; applications by email will not be considered. Include a cover letter, CV with publication list, and contact details of two referees. If your doctorate is submitted but not yet defended, state your timeline in the cover letter.

Ask ApplyKite AI

Start chatting
Can you summarize this position?
What qualifications are required for this position?
How should I prepare my application?