Postdoctoral Researcher in Evolution and Systematics of Plants

Job advertisement
**Vacancy ID**: 123/2025
**Closing date**: 2025-06-20
The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in the profile lines Light - Life - Liberty, which provide pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.
The Institute of Ecology and Evolution and the Senckenberg Institute for Plant Form and Function (SIP) seeks to fill the position of a
Postdoctoral Researcher
in Evolution and systematics of Plants
commencing on November 1st, 2025.
We offer a full-time position (40 hours per week) initially for three years. An extension for another three years is possible.
The group of Integrative Taxonomy of Plants (Prof. Dr. Marc Appelhans) is looking for a motivated Postdoc in our newly established team. We are looking for a person with a strong focus in systematic botany and experience with Next-Generation sequencing methods and bioinformatic skills. Our current research focusses on the phylogenomics, taxonomy and biogeography of (sub)tropical Rutaceae and Primulaceae, and we expect active participation in existing and future projects as well as (co-)supervision of student projects and instruction of student assistants. We encourage own ideas and we expect that you acquire your own projects and build up an independent research profile. The position offers the opportunity to gain an academic qualification (habilitation).
**Your responsibilities**:

- Collaboration in research projects of the department and (co-)supervising of students and instruction of student assistants
- Planning and organizing own research projects in the field of phylogenomics, integrative taxonomy and/or biogeography of plants
- Supervision of the molecular lab of the department
- Assistance in setting up the professorship
- Organization of courses (BSc and MSc levels) and teaching in the department of Integrative Taxonomy of Plants (4 hours per week per semester)
- Participation in and organization of collecting trips and excursions
- Publication of your work in scientific journals and participation in conferences
- Work on your own academic qualification project (habilitation)

**Your profile**:

- Successfully completed doctorate with a focus on systematic botany or plant evolution
- Very good knowledge in the areas of plant systematics, phylogenomics and bioinformatics are expected
- Experience with target capture (target enrichment, HybSeq), RADseq and third-generation sequencing methods (PacBio, Nanopore) is advantageous
- Knowledge of tropical plant families - especially Rutaceae and Primulaceae - and excursion experience in (sub)tropical regions are advantageous
- Very good command of English (spoken and written)
- Curiosity, the ability to work in a team and a willingness to communicate

**We offer**:

- Newly built laboratories and outstanding botanical collections (Jena Botanical Garden, Herbarium Haussknecht)
- Working in a young and motivated team with a strong international focus and co-operations
- Good connections to the Senckenberg Society and iDiv (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research)
- A varied field of activity with the opportunity to realize your own projects and develop an independent research profile
- A family-friendly working environment with a variety of offers for families: University Family Office ‘JUniFamilie’ and flexible childcare (‘JUniKinder);
- University health promotion and a wide range of university sports activities;
- Attractive fringe benefits, e.g. capital formation benefits (VL) and an occupational pension (VBL)
- 30 days of vacation per calendar year plus two days off on December 24 and 31.

In principle, the job is also suitable for part-time employment. The extent to which a part-time request can be granted, in particular with regard to the location and scope of the part-time work, will be assessed on the basis of the needs of the service. The place of work is Jena.
Questions about the position can be directed to Prof. Dr. Marc Appelhans ().
For further information for applicants and the information on the collection of personal data, please refer to