Postdoc position in effector/host-target interactions (m/f/d, E13 TV-L, 100%)

A 

postdoc position in effector/host-target interactions (m/f/d, E13 TV-L, 100%, limited for 2 years with possibility of 2 years extension)

is available in our laboratory at the Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen (Germany). 

The start date is January 2027.

Research

Our newly established group studies the structural basis of the changes occurring in molecular complexes during cellular transitions, including during invasion by pathogens. Specifically, you will investigate the mechanisms of how pathogen effectors bind to their host targets to promote disease. You will implement a pipeline for identification of host proteins targeted by effectors from Magnaporthe oryzae, the causal agent of the destructive blast disease decimating rice and wheat crops worldwide. You will reconstitute effector/targets complexes in vitro and study their interaction at the structural level using X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM.

Your profile

We are looking for an ambitious postdoctoral candidate with good teamwork skills who can work independently in a goal-oriented manner. The candidate should have experience in protein purification (heterologously produced in bacteria or insect cells), structural biology and/or molecular host-microbe interactions demonstrable by at least one first author publication (either in peer-reviewed journals or preprint repositories). Experience in structural biology and or proteomics is highly desirable. Experience in Plant Biology and/or Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions is not required; you can be introduced to the field by us. Candidates looking to develop their own ideas are welcome to discuss possible implementation within our lab.

Environment

The ZMBP is a world-class institution in molecular plant biology, benefiting from brand-new infrastructures within the University of Tübingen science campus. The institution has a collaborative environment with multiple research groups working on diverse aspects of plant-pathogen interactions. Additionally, you will also benefit from established collaborations and access to state-of-the-art facilities. Tübingen is an international, dynamic, and lively university town.

For more details about the ZMBP, please visit:
http://www.zmbp.uni-tuebingen.de/zmbp.html

How to apply

Interested applicants should submit a single PDF comprising a motivation letter describing your research interests and a CV to [email protected] until October 2nd. For informal enquiries, please contact Juan Carlos De la Concepcion via email [email protected] , LinkedIn, or Bluesky (@delaconcepcionjc.bsky.social).

The University of Tübingen is committed to equity and diversity and actively promotes equal opportunities. The University seeks to raise the number of women in research and therefore encourages qualified female academics to apply for the position. Disabled candidates will be given preference over other equally qualified applicants. The employment will be handled by the central administration of the University of Tübingen.