Job for Researchers: Technical Assistant (Plant Pathology) — Julius Kühn-Institut, Germany

Original title: Technische Assistentin / technischer Assistent (w/m/d)

About the role

The Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) – Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Breeding Research on Horticultural Crops, Quedlinburg site, is seeking a Technical Assistant (m/f/d) for a third-party funded research project.

Reference number: QLB-ZG-TA-03-26. Application deadline: 12 August 2026.

The position is part of the collaborative project “Potato breeding to investigate and establish increased resistance to pectolytic bacteria (KUER)” within a cooperation network.

Responsibilities

• Technical support for the KUER research project.
• Maintenance and propagation of pectolytic bacterial strains from plants.
• Application of phenotyping methods for blackleg and soft rot in potatoes.
• Cultivation and maintenance of in vitro plants and transfer to the greenhouse.
• Molecular biology work, including DNA and RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, and sequencing preparation.
• Set-up, care, and documentation of greenhouse and climate chamber experiments.
• Preparation of experimental protocols and preliminary data evaluation in Excel.

Requirements

• Completed vocational training as a technical assistant, biology laboratory technician, or an equivalent qualification.
• Experience in setting up and conducting plant experiments and in bacterial infection of plants.
• Very good knowledge and experience in molecular biology.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, in particular Excel.
• Precise and independent working style, technical aptitude, teamwork, and English language skills.

What we offer

• Diverse, challenging, and interesting work in an international working environment.
• A full-time position limited to two years, with 39 working hours per week; part-time arrangements are possible.
• Employment according to the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD-Ost), with remuneration in pay group E6 TVöD depending on qualification and personal circumstances.
• Start date: 1 September 2026.
• Equal opportunity and inclusion; applications from people with severe disabilities are explicitly welcome and are given preferential consideration in the selection process.
• Flexible working time models to support work-life balance.
• The Deutschlandticket job ticket can be obtained with an employer subsidy of €23.28.

How to apply

Please submit your complete application via the Interamt online application system by 12 August 2026, quoting the reference number QLB-ZG-TA-03-26.

For further information, contact Dr. Janine König, phone +49 3946 47-3092, email [email protected].

The Julius Kühn-Institut is an institution within the remit of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMLEH). The Quedlinburg site is located at Erwin-Baur-Straße 27, 06484 Quedlinburg.

Original vacancy