5 PhD Positions: Molecular and Chemical Ecology and Evolution 1034 views

The International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) “The Exploration of Ecological Interactions with Molecular and Chemical Techniques” is inviting applications for 5 PhD positions beginning in October 2019 – January 2020.

About the positions:
  • The overarching research topic is the use of molecular, chemical and neurobiological techniques to experimentally explore ecological interactions under natural conditions.
  • The main focus is on the relationship between plants, microbes and herbivores, and their environment, as well as the evolutionary and behavioral consequences of these interactions.
  • The 12 exciting projects focusing on different organisms and approaches are being offered.

Requirements:

  • Applicants should have or be about to obtain a Masters or equivalent degree in one of the following fields: Entomology, Neurobiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Plant Physiology, Genetics, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Bioinformatics, And Mathematics And Computer Science.
  • All our projects are highly integrative and require willingness to closely collaborate with researchers of different backgrounds.

*There are no tuition fees and the working language is English.

Applications:

Apply online

Projects offered in 2019

Project 1: Surfing the surface: Hydrophobins on fungal hyphae Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Erika Kothe, Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Prof. Dr. Jonathan Gershenzon, Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology; Dr. Aleš Svatoš, Research Group Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Project 2: Towards GC-MS: Adapting SIRIUS and CSI:FingerID for Electron Ionization fragmentation

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Böcker, Chair of Bioinformatics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Prof. Dr. Georg Pohnert, Chair of Instrumental Analytics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Dr. Aleš Svatoš, Research Group Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Project 3: Molecular basis of balanced color polymorphisms in grasshoppers

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Holger Schielzeth, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Project 4: Communication in plant communities via a hyphal network connecting the roots of neighboring plants

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ralf Oelmüller, Plant Physiology, Matthias Schleiden Institute, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Priv. Doz. Dr. Axel Mithöfer, Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Project 5: Tapping into signaling interactions between nematodes and aphids

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Nicole M. van Dam, Molecular Interaction Ecology, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig & Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Dr Grit Kunert, Chemical Communication in Plant-Aphid Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Project 6: Convergent evolution of metabolic pathways: The biosynthesis of benzoxazinoids in dicotyledonous plants

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Sarah O’Connor, Department of Natural Product Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology; Dr. Tobias Köllner, Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Project 7: The role of the transcription factor FLC in growth habit, fruit dimorphism and plant defense of Aethionema arabicum

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Günter Theißen, Genetics, Matthias Schleiden Institute, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Prof. Dr. Jonathan Gershenzon, Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology; Prof. Dr. Ralf Oelmüller, Plant Physiology, Matthias Schleiden Institute, Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Project 8: Chemical defense strategies of plants and evasion strategies of feeding insects – A systems biology approach

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Stefan Schuster, Bioinformatics, Matthias Schleiden Institute, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Prof. Dr. Jonathan Gershenzon, Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Project 9: Detoxification of diterpene resin acids by the pine weevil (Hylobius abietis)

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Jonathan Gershenzon, Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology; Prof. Dr. Erika Kothe, Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Dr. Axel Schmidt, Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Project 10: Bimodal navigation in desert ants: The role of vision and olfaction

Supervisors: Dr. Markus Knaden, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology; Dr. Hannah Rowland, Research Group Predators and Prey, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Project 11: Tiny beetle with a chemical weapon: Do flea beetles use mustard oils against predators and pathogens?

Supervisors: Dr. Franziska Beran, Research Group Sequestration and Detoxification in Insects, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology; Prof. Jonathan Gershenzon, Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Project 12: A bird’s eye view of warning signals

Supervisors: Dr. Hannah Rowland, Research Group Predators and Prey, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology; Prof. Uwe Mayer, Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento

—————–Quick Overview————-
Organization International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS)
Country Germany
Fellowship Level Doctoral
Subject areas

Entomology, Neurobiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Plant Physiology, Genetics, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Bioinformatics, Mathematics, Computer Science

Fellowship amount Varies
Eligibility Open to all nationalities
Deadline May 24th, 2019
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