Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research

🌱 Join us for our Open Day at Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research on Sat, June 20, 2026! 🌿🔬Discover our research through guided tours, talks, and family-friendly activities and meet the people behind the science. Free entry, no registration needed. More information here: https://www.mpipz.mpg.de/open-day-2026

🚨Your PhD Journey Starts Here: Explore Doctoral Programs at Max Planck!🚨

Are you a student with a passion for research and considering a PhD?

🗓Join our webinar on August 7, 1-3 PM (CEST) to explore the exciting opportunities offered by the Max Planck Society!

This event delves deep into PhD programs within the International Max Planck Research Schools located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

What you'll gain:

🎓 Overview of PhD opportunities across various Max Planck institutes in NRW

👀 Insights into cutting-edge research at IMPRS for Astronomy & Astrophysics, Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research, CiM-IMPRS, IMPRS-LM International Max Planck Research School for Living Matter and IMPRS on Interdisciplinary Plant Biology

ℹ️ Valuable information on research and training opportunities at the Max Planck Society



➡️ Don't miss this chance! Register now! 👉 https://events.gwdg.de/e/PhDatMaxPlanck2026

🎓 We warmly congratulate Dr. Tamara Susanto on the successful defense of her PhD thesis:
“Genomic Control of Meiotic Recombination in Tomato Species”

Her research was conducted in the Group of Charles Underwood at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research.

This accomplishment highlights strong commitment and scientific excellence. We are pleased to celebrate this milestone and wish Dr. Tamara Susanto continued success in her future endeavors.

🎓 We are pleased to congratulate Dr. Niklas Kiel on the successful defense of his PhD thesis:
“Experimental frameworks for deciphering bacterial adaptation in the plant root microbiota”

The work was carried out in the Group of Ruben Garrido-Oter at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research.

This achievement reflects sustained scientific curiosity and dedication. We are glad to mark this milestone and wish Dr. Niklas Kiel all the best for his future career.

🎓 We warmly congratulate Dr. Kang Wang on the successful defense of the PhD thesis:
"The contributions of AP2, FUL and SOC1 to the floral transition and inflorescence development in annual and perennial Brassicaceae species"

The research was conducted in the lab of George Coupland at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, providing an excellent environment for scientific development and exchange.

We are pleased to celebrate this milestone and wish Dr. Kang Wang continued success in the next stage of his career.

🎓 Congratulations to Dr. Maik Mendler on successfully defending the PhD thesis
"Investigating the role of TELOMERE REPEAT BINDING FACTORS (TRBs) in epigenetic regulatory complexes".

Completed in the lab of Franziska Turck at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, this work reflects both individual dedication and a strong research environment.

We are delighted to recognize this important achievement and to welcome Dr. Maik Mendler to the community of researchers who have reached this milestone. We wish all the best for the future.

"Women in science attract more women in science!" Today's International Women's Day, we want to celebrate the many amazing women who shape & have shaped science, past and present 🥳🎉 - and also shine a spotlight on the historical pioneers whose names deserve to be MUCH more widely known!
We've been speaking with our own researchers about the trailblazing women who inspired them, such as Marjory Stephenson, Vera Rubin, Maria Goeppert Mayer, Janaki Ammal, … and many more. Explore the full interview series in the comments below!

🎓✨ A wonderful milestone achieved!

We are delighted to congratulate Dr. Meng Zhang on the successful defense of her PhD thesis

“Unconventional Meiosis in Plants: Holocentric chromosome recombination in beak-sedges and asymmetric inheritance in pentaploid dogroses”,

completed in the lab of André Marques at Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research

Reaching this point takes perseverance, curiosity, and real scientific commitment. We are proud to celebrate this achievement and wish Dr. Meng Zhang every success for the exciting path ahead.

Welcome to the community of doctors! 👏

We are !
Join Miltos Tsiantis’s lab within the IMPRS Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research to identify genes driving root sucker formation in crucifer plants — combining evolution & genetics.
🗓️ Deadline: Jan 5, 2026
✏️ Apply via: gradschool.mpipz.mpg.de
ℹ️ More info: mpipz.mpg.de/imprs
🔗 Project: https://www.mpipz.mpg.de/imprs/proposals

We are !
In Nadine Töpfer’s group within the IMPRS Universität zu Köln, the PhD candidate will use computational modelling to unravel metabolic interactions between plants and their root microbiota.
🗓️ Deadline: Jan 5, 2026
✏️ Apply via: gradschool.mpipz.mpg.de
ℹ️ More info: mpipz.mpg.de/imprs
🔗 Project: https://www.mpipz.mpg.de/imprs/proposals