Aspiring researchers in food chemistry and nutritional sciences now have a prestigious opportunity to join a cutting-edge research program at the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) in Germany. The institute is offering a fully funded PhD position in collaboration with the Technische Universität Berlin, focused on advancing research in phytonutrient management and plant-environment interactions.
Program Overview
Position Title: PhD Student (f/m/div) in the Field of Food Chemistry
Reference Number: 09/2025/3
Location: Großbeeren, Germany (near Berlin and Potsdam)
Project: PhytoM – Leibniz Professorship for Phytonutrient Management
Host Institutions: IGZ & Technische Universität Berlin
Program Duration: 3 years (Fixed Term)
Funding: Up to TV-L E13 pay scale, 65% of working time
Doctoral Degree Awarded by: Technische Universität Berlin
The research is part of IGZ’s program area ‘Plant Quality and Food Security’, with the aim to explore how sulphur-containing secondary compounds in Brassica vegetables interact during cultivation and food processing — and how they impact human health.
Benefits of Opportunity Include
- Opportunity to pursue a PhD at Technische Universität Berlin
- Involvement in a highly interdisciplinary project addressing climate-resilient nutrition
- Access to first-class laboratory facilities near Berlin and Potsdam
- Supportive, diverse, and international research environment
- Flexible working hours and remote work options (up to 50%)
- Public transportation subsidy (Deutschlandticket included)
- Inclusive and family-friendly work culture
The Responsibilities Required
- Conduct plant cultivation and food chemistry experiments
- Analyze secondary plant compounds using HPLC-MS and GC-MS
- Identify novel reaction products
- Perform cell biological studies (e.g., cytotoxicity assays)
- Publish results in international journals
- Present findings at conferences and scientific events
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should have:
- A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Food Chemistry, Biochemistry, Nutritional Sciences, or a related field
- Proficiency in instrumental analytical techniques (HPLC-MS, GC-MS)
- Experience in preparing plant tissues and isolating natural substances
- Advantageous: skills in structural elucidation of natural products
- Competency in data analysis and statistics
- Strong command of English (spoken and written)
- High motivation, independence, teamwork, and organizational ability
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the PhD Student Position in Food Chemistry at the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) is April 9, 2025.
DATE . Mar/21/2025