PhD student (m/f/d) in Molecular Plant Physiology - Freising

Academic staff

The main objective of the research group ‘Crop Physiology’ is to understand the physiology of plants down to the structure and function of genes and proteins as well as relevant mechanisms, which allow optimizing agriculturally important quality and yield traits and the generation of crops, which are beneficial for the society in terms of food‑security (improved plant performance and stress tolerance) and food‑safety (generation of healthier food).

About Us

The Bienert Lab is part of the TUM School of Life Sciences of the Technical University of Munich located in Freising. The group focuses in particular on molecular nutrient‑ and water‑efficiency mechanisms in plants. To this aim, we synergistically bridge classic plant nutritional research with modern molecular biology.

Your Tasks

• In the frame of the newly established DFG Research Unit “Soil‑plant hydraulics impacting transpiration and plant growth in response to drought”, you will identify and characterize the molecular and physiological role of plant water‑channeling aquaporins in the regulation of the cell‑to‑cell water transport pathways from roots to leaves in response to water deficits.
• You will strive for the identification of soil‑property‑dependent anatomical, physiological, and particularly transcriptomic responses of isohydric and anisohydric maize genotypes to water‑limiting conditions, advancing our understanding of regulatory gene networks that allow plants to maintain hydric linearity on a short and diurnal time scale. You will also advance the understanding of an up‑to‑date and application‑oriented climate‑related agriculturally relevant research topic.
• You will network interdisciplinarily with other PhD students and PIs of the DFG Research Unit and visit joint meetings.

Your Qualifications And Skills

• You have a MSc or equivalent degree in biology or any related field.
• You have a very strong interest in molecular plant physiology and like to work with plants, having advanced wet‑lab experience in molecular biology & physiological approaches.
• You work precisely and reliably.

You Fit To Us

• You are a highly‑motivated researcher with the ambition and commitment to achieve scientific excellence in a world‑class university with state‑of‑the‑art facilities and scientists from around the world.
• You want to develop your scientific skills and obtain an outstanding dissertation.
• You show a very strong team spirit and the ability to work independently, while possessing a passion for unraveling biological mechanisms, solving scientific questions and a high degree of self‑initiative and individual responsibility to succeed in your tasks.

Our Offer

• An interdisciplinary research environment at the interface of molecular biology & plant physiology.
• Pro‑active participation and exchange in the highly vivid Research Unit Alliance comprising 8 project groups from different universities in Germany.
• A friendly & productive working atmosphere in a highly motivated team.
• A straightforward and personal mentoring & career development.
• A position for four years starting .
• A gross salary up to E13 TV‑L (65%). Salary will be determined in accordance with the German collective wage agreement in public services.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

The position is suitable for people with severe disabilities. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if their suitability, qualifications and professional performance are otherwise essentially equal. The TUM seeks to increase the proportion of women in those areas where they are underrepresented, therefore applications from women are explicitly encouraged.