Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research

🔬 🌱Big news at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research We are excited to welcome Prof. Dr. Rosa Lozano-Durán as new Director and head of the Department of Plant Virology!🎉Her research explores how plant viruses hijack and reprogram their hosts - this will help lay the foundation for future crop protection strategies.🌿Welcome to MPIPZ, Rosa — we’re thrilled to have you on board!

The Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research welcomes Prof. Dr. Rosa Lozano-Durán as new director Home communications Rosa Lozano-Durán new director The Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research welcomes Prof. Dr. Rosa Lozano-Durán as new director August 13, 2026 The plant scientist Rosa Lozano-Durán has accepted the appointment as director of the new Department of Plant Virology. Rosa...

🎓 Congratulations to Dr. Shifa Ansari on successfully defending the PhD thesis

"Genomic and ecological signatures of adaptation to natural and urban environments".

Completed in the Angela Hancock group at Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, this marks an important academic milestone.

We wish Shifa continued success.

🚀 Considering a PhD at the Max Planck Society?

🗓 Join our free webinar on August 7 (1:00–3:00 PM CEST) and discover the exciting PhD opportunities offered by the International Max Planck Research Schools in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Why should you join?

🎓 Learn about fully funded PhD programmes across a range of research fields

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

💬 Find out what it's like to pursue a PhD at the Max Planck Society and have your questions answered by representatives of the programmes.

🔗 Registration via https://www.ageing-grad-school.de/about-us/news/detail/join-our-webinar-your-phd-max-planck-exploring-doctoral-programs

We look forward to meeting future PhD candidates from around the world!

🎓 We are pleased to congratulate Dr. Yasin Kaya on the successful defense of the PhD thesis:

"The Genomic Basis of Afroalpine Adaptation in Brassicaceae Species with Contrasting Ecological Strategies."

The work was carried out in the Angela Hancock group at Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research.

We wish Yasin all the best for the next career steps. 🎉

🌱 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.