The IPK is a large, internationally recognized centre of plant research that addresses problems of modern biology with an emphasis on crop plants. Our laboratories host an international workforce that brings together a diversity of qualifications and scientific backgrounds. Current research aims for the development of genetic and biotechnological tools and the comprehensive use of plant-genetic resources to optimise crop traits in sustainable agricultural plant production. For this purpose, the IPK cooperates with many national and international universities and research institutions and enterprises.

For the group ‘Karyotype evolution’ of Prof. Dr. Ingo Schubert and Dr. Jörg Fuchs we are looking for a

Postdoc researcher (f/m)

Employment starting on 1st May 2012 and is limited for 18 month and can potentially be extended to 3 years.

The international research group is interested to decipher evolutionary, developmental and experimental plasticity of plant chromosome complements. For research details visit:
http://www.ipk-gatersleben.de/Internet/Forschung/CytogenetikGenomanalyse/Karyotypevolution

Your duties:
The cosmopolitan Lentibulariaceae family is characterized by extreme plasticity of genome size, variable chromosome numbers, high base substitution rates and unique trapping mechanisms for carnivory. Genomes and chromosome complements of this interesting plant family are only scarcely studied. The aim of a DFG-funded project is to determine for Genlisea pygmaea. (86 Mbp; n=15) with one of the smallest plant genomes, for G. margaretae (175 Mbp; n=18 or 19) and for G. hispidula (1530 Mbp, n=17 or 18), the basic ploidy level (diploidy vs. polyploidy), the centromere structure (monocentric vs. polycentric), the chromosomal constitution regarding heterochromatin, telomeres, and rDNA as well as the subnuclear distribution of epigenetic markers. A BAC library will be established, ordered into a tiling path and used to elucidate karyotype evolution, in particular the reasons of chromosome number alteration, within the genus Genlisea and potentially other Lentibulariaceae species via comparative chromosome painting. It is aimed to find out, whether similar or alternative mechanisms shaped Lentibulariaceae karyotypes, compared to the situation described for other seed plant families. Reciprocal painting with mapped and sequenced BAC pools will reveal the degree of synteny to A. thaliana, a member of the Brassicaceae family. This approach is paralleled by a genomic project to study the detailed mechanisms of genome size evolution within the genus Genlisea.

You fit to us:
Applicants must hold a PhD degree in Biology, or Agricultural Sciences. A strong background in standard methods of molecular genetics and/or cytogenetics (including image processing) and strong communication skills in English are required.

If you need further information feel free to contact Prof. I. Schubert (schubert@ipk-gatersleben.de; phone +49 (0) 39482 5239) or Dr. J. Fuchs (fuchs@ipk-gatersleben.de; +49 (0)39482 5451).

Equal opportunities exist for female and male applicants. Hence, certified women are particularly asked to apply. A family-friendly environment is given. Severely disabled people are taken in preference when the same level of qualification is given.