Postdoctoral Researcher in Evolution and systematics of Plants

Job advertisement

Vacancy ID: 260/2026

Closing date: 2026-10-15

The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in the profile areas Light – Life – Liberty, which provide pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.

The Institute of Ecology and Evolution and the Senckenberg Institute for Plant Form and Function seeks to fill the position of a

Postdoctoral Researcher in Evolution and systematics of Plants

commencing on January 1st, 2027.

We offer a full-time position (40 hours per week) initially for three years. An extension for another three years is possible.

The group of Integrative Taxonomy of Plants (Prof. Dr. Marc Appelhans) is looking for a motivated Postdoc in our newly established team. We are looking for a person with a strong focus in systematic botany and experience with Next-Generation sequencing methods and bioinformatic skills. Our current research focusses on the phylogenomics, taxonomy and biogeography of (sub)tropical Rutaceae and Primulaceae, and we expect active participation in existing and future projects as well as (co-)supervision of student projects and instruction of student assistants. We encourage own ideas and we expect that you acquire your own projects and build up an independent research profile. The position offers the opportunity to gain an academic qualification (habilitation).

Your responsibilities:

Collaboration in research projects of the department and (co-)supervising of students and instruction of student assistants

Planning and organizing own research projects in the field of phylogenomics, integrative taxonomy and/or biogeography of plants

Supervision of the molecular lab of the department

Assistance in setting up the professorship

Organization of courses (BSc and MSc levels) and teaching in the department of Integrative Taxonomy of Plants (4 hours per week per semester)

Participation in and organization of collecting trips and excursions

Publication of your work in scientific journals and participation in conferences

Work on your own academic qualification project (habilitation)

Your profile:

You have successfully graduated from a university with a Master degree or Diploma in biology or a similar discipline and you hold a PhD with a focus on systematic botany or plant evolution

Alternatively, you have successfully completed a bachelors degree in biology or a related field and hold a doctoral degree (earned through a fast-track program) with a focus on systematic botany or plant evolution

Very good knowledge in the areas of plant systematics, phylogenomics and bioinformatics are expected

Experience with target capture (target enrichment, HybSeq), RADseq and third-generation sequencing methods (PacBio, Nanopore) is advantageous

Knowledge of tropical plant families – especially Rutaceae and Primulaceae – and excursion experience in (sub)tropical regions are advantageous

Very good command of English (spoken and written)

Curiosity, the ability to work in a