Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), Großbeeren

The Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) strives for excellence in horticultural research and related plant, environmental, and social sciences. Based in Großbeeren, close to Potsdam and Berlin, IGZ is a member of the Leibniz Association (WGL). Our mission is to provide science-based solutions that address four challenges currently threatening horticultural systems: climate change, biodiversity and pesticide reduction, healthy nutrition and food quality, and resource-efficient agricultural and food systems. Our scientific expertise covers the entire spectrum, from molecular plant physiology and biochemistry to human nutrition, food security, and horticultural production systems, thereby covering the full range from fundamental to applied research.

The following position is to be filled at the Institute at the earliest possible date, until June 30, 2028, as part of the ILB funded project ‘Sustainable Functional Integration in Composite Materials’ (NaFuVer):

Scientist (f,m,div) in the Field of Macroalgal cultivation

Reference number: 01/2026/3

The salary will be based on qualification and research experience according to the wage agreement TV-L, up to pay scale 13, 70% of regular working hours.

The collaborative project ‘Sustainable Functional Integration in Composite Materials’ (NaFuVer), led by the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, deals with the functional integration of chitin-based sensors in fibre-reinforced plastics. The aim is to use these functionally integrated new materials for monitoring in vertical and urban farming environments with the aid of energy-efficient manufacturing technologies. To this end, growth compartments made from the developed materials are being tested at the IGZ under real conditions for organism cultivation. The sensors developed in this way are to be tested at the IGZ in the context of ongoing cultivation work and experiments in an application-oriented manner and adapted to the requirements of the various cultivated organisms in order to develop innovative indoor cultivation systems for macroalgae and halophytes.

Tasks include

• cultivation of macroalgae and investigation of the associated microbiome
• optimisation of cultivation parameters in controlled systems to increase biomass and nutrient profile
• investigating the biology and chemistry of associated fungi, including the analysis of compounds of biotechnological interest
• supervising Bachelor's and Master's students
• presenting the project at national and international conferences – for both scientific and public interest groups
• writing scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals

We are looking for candidates with

• a completed PhD in the field of natural sciences
• experience in the cultivation of marine macrophytes and in the analysis of marine fungi
• experience in the analysis of biopolymers, e.g. chitin
• experience in the planning and implementation of multivariate experiments
• knowledge of cultivation and microbiological work, including microscopy
• knowledge of chemical analysis, possibly experience in metabolomics
• fluent English language skills; knowledge of German is an advantage
• an open, flexible and positive person who can work in a team but is also able to take the initiative
• willingness to integrate into an international working environment
• willingness to attend business trips, therefore a Class B driver's license (car) is an advantage

We offer

• an attractive workplace at a modern research institute for horticultural sciences
• committed and competent team and a challenging job that combines basic and applied plant sciences
• flexible and family-friendly working time model and the possibility of mobile working (up to 50% of working time)
• VBL Ost company pension scheme for public sector employees, as well as a collectively agreed annual bonus and 30 days' vacation per year
• subsidy for a company ticket for public transport or the Deutschlandticket (Germany ticket)

More information on about the IGZ you can find under www.igzev.de. For questions, please contact: Dr. Anna Fricke (fricke(at)igzev.de).

We encourage a healthy work-life balance. The IGZ attaches great importance to equal opportunities. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualifications. The IGZ embraces diversity in its workforce, and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, irrespective of age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, world view, disability and belief or ethnic origin.

Please send your complete application (stating the reference number and including a motivation letter, your CV and academic certificates) by email to bewerbung(at)igzev.de in pdf format by February 1, 2026.