Group Leader (m/f/d) | Plant Development and Diversity 

The Department of Comparative Development and Genetics at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research (MPIPZ) in Cologne is seeking a Group Leader (m/f/d) in the broad area of Plant Development and Diversity.

The Department operates under the direction of Honorary Professor Dr. Miltos Tsiantis and investigates problems of plant development and diversity. The successful applicant will be expected to build an independent research group to study plant development and/or its natural variation and to collaborate on active research projects in the Department. Of particular interest are candidates that incorporate computational approaches in their research, and dry lab scientists are also welcome to apply. The successful candidate will participate in national and international Graduate Partner Programs and in external funding bids, and core funding will be available.

We seek candidates with a PhD, 2-4 years postdoctoral experience and an excellent publication record, who use creative approaches to investigate problems in plant development, diversity, and evolution. We are looking for a highly interactive scientist who is able to engage in successful collaborations with colleagues at different levels both within and beyond the Department, and who can participate in the training of younger scientists. Salary and benefits are according to the German TVöD. This is a five-year position with possibilities for renewal. All contractual arrangements are subject to the German public service regulations for the duration of scientific training.

Interested candidates are invited to submit applications through the online system by the 31st of October, 2023, as a single PDF document consisting of:

1. a two-page CV including the names and contact details of two academic referees
2. a personal statement explaining their academic accomplishments, motivation for applying for this post, potential synergies with the Department (https://www.mpipz.mpg.de/226344/tsiantis-dpt) and their outlook on fostering a collegial, collaborative environment to support the training of early career scientists
3. a publication list highlighting their 2-3 most relevant papers with a 150-word summary explaining the significance of each
4. a two-page statement of research plans for the next five years

An appointment will only be made if a suitable candidate is identified.