Job for Researchers: Research Scientist (Potato Resistance) — Julius Kühn-Institut, Germany

Original title: Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin/ Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter (w/m/d)

About the role

The Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) – Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants – invites applications for a Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin / Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter (w/m/d) at the Institute for Breeding Research on Horticultural Crops in Quedlinburg. The position is part of the third-party funded research project “Kartoffelzüchtung zur Untersuchung und Etablierung einer erhöhten Resistenz gegenüber pektinolytischen Bakterien (KUER)” (potato breeding for the study and establishment of increased resistance to pectinolytic bacteria), conducted within a cooperation network with EUROPLANT Innovation GmbH & Co. KG. The reference number is QLB-ZG-WA-01-26, and the application deadline is 12 August 2026.

The JKI is an agency within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Nutrition and Home Affairs (BMLEH).

Responsibilities

• Contribute scientifically to the KUER research project as part of a cooperation network with EUROPLANT Innovation GmbH & Co. KG.
• Phenotype blackleg and soft rot in a segregating potato population under laboratory and greenhouse conditions.
• Characterise the population for resistance to pectinolytic bacteria and for tuber wound healing properties.
• Genotype a tetraploid potato population, localise associated gene loci, and develop diagnostic markers.
• Prepare reports, publish research findings, and present results at national and international conferences.

Requirements

• Completed university degree (at least Master’s, university diploma, or equivalent) in agricultural or horticultural sciences, biology, or a comparable discipline.
• Very good knowledge and practical experience in phytopathology, particularly with bacterial pathogens, as well as in designing and evaluating greenhouse experiments.
• Experience in molecular techniques using DNA and RNA, and knowledge of resistance gene mapping in polyploid plants.
• Very good written and spoken German and English.
• Driving licence class B (III), willingness to drive official vehicles, and readiness to undertake multi-day business trips.

What we offer

• A varied, challenging, and interesting role in an international working environment.
• A two-year fixed-term part-time position with 19.5 hours per week; the employment relationship is governed by the collective agreement for the public service in eastern Germany (TVöD-Ost).
• Remuneration according to pay group E 13 TVöD, depending on qualification and personal circumstances.
• The opportunity to pursue a doctorate.
• A start date at the earliest possible time.
• Support for work–family balance, including flexible working time models within the scope of official arrangements; JKI has held the “audit berufundfamilie” certificate since 2021.
• Equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion are actively promoted; applications from severely disabled persons are expressly welcome and will be given preferential consideration in the selection procedure.
• Where possible, a Deutschlandticket job ticket with an employer subsidy of €23.28.
• Depending on a positive interim evaluation, continued employment with EUROPLANT Innovation GmbH & Co. KG within a trainee programme may be possible.

How to apply

Please submit your complete application by 12 August 2026 via the Interamt online application system, quoting the reference number QLB-ZG-WA-01-26. Your full and meaningful application documents must be uploaded to the system before the application deadline.

Applicants with an international degree must include a statement of comparability (Zeugnisbewertung) from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). If you do not yet have one, you will be required to apply for it if your application is successful.

Contact and further information

Dr. Janine König
Phone: +49 (0) 3946 47-3092
Email: [email protected]

Postal address:
Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
Bundesforschungsinstitut für Kulturpflanzen
Zentralabteilung
Erwin-Baur-Straße 27
06484 Quedlinburg, Germany

Data protection information is available on the JKI website.

Original vacancy