Postoctoral Researcher in Forest Genetics

In the Forest genetics group at the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, we are investigating the genomic and epigenetic basis for the adaptation and acclimation of temperate and tropical tree species. To this end, we analyze genetic and genomic data together with phenotypic and environmental data. Our research is carried out in natural populations as well as in greenhouses and climate chambers.

For our team, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with experience in analyzing genomic data sets in non-model species and with an interest in working with trees. The postdoctoral researcher will support the chair in research, teaching, and administration and will have the opportunity to establish his/her own profile in forest genetics research and teaching. An integration into ongoing projects on the genomic characterization of European forest tree species and on the molecular phenology of tropical tree species is planned. More information on current projects can be found here: http://katrin-heer.de.

The position has a teaching obligation of four semester hours per week. Participation in a course on forest genetics and research skills for MSc students is planned. In addition, a course on bioinformatic analysis of genetic datasets for Master students should be established independently.

Your profile

A very good Master's degree in biology, bioinformatics, or similar subjects, and a completed Ph.D. are required. Experience with genomic dataset analysis (in a Unix environment and with R and Python), RNAseq data, and de novo assembly and annotation of transcriptomes and genomes is required. You are familiar with the specifics of working with non-model species. Further, experience working on clusters and local servers is required and you will support the working group with establishing the local server infrastructure is expected.

Experience in working with plants and in the laboratory (DNA and RNA extraction, creation of sequencing libraries) is an advantage. You are able to carry out scientific work independently and can demonstrate this through your publications. You enjoy working in a team and have experience in supervising BSc and MSc theses. Lectures at the MSc level are in English as is the working language in the group. Therefore, a very good knowledge of English is required. Good knowledge of German is an advantage for administrative support of the group.

What we offer

You will be integrated into a newly established working group at the University of Freiburg working on forest genetics and genomics in temperate and tropical regions.

The position offers the possibility of scientific qualification. The postdoctoral researcher will be supported in writing his/her own research proposals. The salary is the standard salary for postdoctoral positions in Germany including social security and health insurance.

Your application

Your application should include a letter of motivation, an academic CV (including an overview of your research and teaching activities, an overview of data analysis and software skills, and a publication record), copies of academic transcripts, and contact details for two academic references.