Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
@mpi-ce.bsky.social
We investigate the chemical communication between different organisms - plants, insects and microbes - in Jena, Germany.
Huge congratulations to Pamela Medina van Berkum on successfully defending her PhD! Supervised by @sunsicker.bsky.social and Jonathan Gershenzon, her work on how plant biodiversity shapes chemical defenses bridges ecology, chemistry, and evolution. Pam is now part of Sybille’s group at @uni-kiel.de.
November 7, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Huge congratulations to Pamela Medina van Berkum on successfully defending her PhD! Supervised by @sunsicker.bsky.social and Jonathan Gershenzon, her work on how plant biodiversity shapes chemical defenses bridges ecology, chemistry, and evolution. Pam is now part of Sybille’s group at @uni-kiel.de.
We are very proud - yesterday, Somasundar Arumugam successfully defended his PhD thesis on "Exploring innate and learned sensory behaviors in Drosophila under natural and perturbed context".
He was supervised by Prof. Silke Sachse.
Congratulations!!!!
He was supervised by Prof. Silke Sachse.
Congratulations!!!!
October 28, 2025 at 8:36 AM
We are very proud - yesterday, Somasundar Arumugam successfully defended his PhD thesis on "Exploring innate and learned sensory behaviors in Drosophila under natural and perturbed context".
He was supervised by Prof. Silke Sachse.
Congratulations!!!!
He was supervised by Prof. Silke Sachse.
Congratulations!!!!
Doctoral researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, and the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology came together for the first Max Planck PhD Day in Jena which included speed dating and skills-sharing sessions and networking.
October 22, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Doctoral researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, and the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology came together for the first Max Planck PhD Day in Jena which included speed dating and skills-sharing sessions and networking.
A recipe from two eras for protection against bark beetles: Andrew O’Donnell et al. show in PNAS that some resin diterpenes are older than conifers themselves, while others developed independently—presumably to protect against bark beetles. www.ice.mpg.de/510162/PR_OD...
September 23, 2025 at 6:57 AM
A recipe from two eras for protection against bark beetles: Andrew O’Donnell et al. show in PNAS that some resin diterpenes are older than conifers themselves, while others developed independently—presumably to protect against bark beetles. www.ice.mpg.de/510162/PR_OD...
HUGE congratulations also to Jessil Pajar on successfully defending her PhD thesis! 🎓 Her research, supervised by @nmvandam.bsky.social, explores novel strategies to strengthen plant resistance against a major pest, drawing innovative insights from interactions with microscopic nematodes.
September 22, 2025 at 3:24 PM
HUGE congratulations also to Jessil Pajar on successfully defending her PhD thesis! 🎓 Her research, supervised by @nmvandam.bsky.social, explores novel strategies to strengthen plant resistance against a major pest, drawing innovative insights from interactions with microscopic nematodes.
We are proud to announce that Sol Yepes has successfully defended her PhD thesis on intraspecific chemodiversity in Black Poplar supervised by @sunsicker.bsky.social. Her work advances our understanding of plant diversity as a foundation for ecosystem resilience. Congratulations!
September 22, 2025 at 3:21 PM
We are proud to announce that Sol Yepes has successfully defended her PhD thesis on intraspecific chemodiversity in Black Poplar supervised by @sunsicker.bsky.social. Her work advances our understanding of plant diversity as a foundation for ecosystem resilience. Congratulations!
Meet our director Sarah O'Connor, @oconnorlab.bsky.social, a presence to be reckoned with in the plant science community! Read the latest interview with @newphyt.bsky.social to learn about her passion for plant science and the scientists who inspired her:
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
August 1, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Meet our director Sarah O'Connor, @oconnorlab.bsky.social, a presence to be reckoned with in the plant science community! Read the latest interview with @newphyt.bsky.social to learn about her passion for plant science and the scientists who inspired her:
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
This is Ahmed Ismaieel, a PhD candidate in our IMPRS who studies moths in the windtunnel. His research into the ability of moths to 'smell' is providing new insights into the intricate relationships between insects and their environments. Read about his journey & more: www.ice.mpg.de/257126/newsl...
July 24, 2025 at 1:50 PM
This is Ahmed Ismaieel, a PhD candidate in our IMPRS who studies moths in the windtunnel. His research into the ability of moths to 'smell' is providing new insights into the intricate relationships between insects and their environments. Read about his journey & more: www.ice.mpg.de/257126/newsl...
Hala Sardouk, a PhD candidate in @shabmohammadi.bsky.social's group, is exploring how organisms adapt to environmental toxins at the molecular level, shedding light on the complex interactions between organisms & their environments. More about her journey & our IMPRS: www.ice.mpg.de/257126/newsl...
July 23, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Hala Sardouk, a PhD candidate in @shabmohammadi.bsky.social's group, is exploring how organisms adapt to environmental toxins at the molecular level, shedding light on the complex interactions between organisms & their environments. More about her journey & our IMPRS: www.ice.mpg.de/257126/newsl...
Discovering the perfect PhD fit! Iulia Barutia shares her journey to finding our IMPRS program, where she's thriving with a supportive community & access to top resources. Don't give up on your academic dreams! Read about her journey & more: www.ice.mpg.de/257126/newsl...
July 22, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Discovering the perfect PhD fit! Iulia Barutia shares her journey to finding our IMPRS program, where she's thriving with a supportive community & access to top resources. Don't give up on your academic dreams! Read about her journey & more: www.ice.mpg.de/257126/newsl...
Meet Johann de Beer, a doctoral researcher studying the symbiotic relationship between Lagria beetles & bacteria in the @kaltenpoth-lab.bsky.social. His research explores how beneficial bacteria colonize & defend their hosts. Read more about his journey & more: www.ice.mpg.de/257126/newsl...
July 21, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Meet Johann de Beer, a doctoral researcher studying the symbiotic relationship between Lagria beetles & bacteria in the @kaltenpoth-lab.bsky.social. His research explores how beneficial bacteria colonize & defend their hosts. Read more about his journey & more: www.ice.mpg.de/257126/newsl...
Today is last day of the ICE-2025 International Chemical Ecology PhD course at our institute. For 2 weeks, 28 doctoral researchers from all over Europe, the US, and Canada studied plant-insect-microbe interactions, evolutionary processes, advanced methods, and even chemical communication in humans.
July 4, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Today is last day of the ICE-2025 International Chemical Ecology PhD course at our institute. For 2 weeks, 28 doctoral researchers from all over Europe, the US, and Canada studied plant-insect-microbe interactions, evolutionary processes, advanced methods, and even chemical communication in humans.
Lead author @matildeflorean.bsky.social et al. from the @oconnorlab.bsky.social discover a "fake" enzyme in plants that enables the formation of free indole, a key molecule for defense & attracting pollinators.
www.ice.mpg.de/496511/PR_Fl...
www.ice.mpg.de/496511/PR_Fl...
June 26, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Lead author @matildeflorean.bsky.social et al. from the @oconnorlab.bsky.social discover a "fake" enzyme in plants that enables the formation of free indole, a key molecule for defense & attracting pollinators.
www.ice.mpg.de/496511/PR_Fl...
www.ice.mpg.de/496511/PR_Fl...
Congratulations to Matilde Florean from the Department of Natural Product Biosynthesis on successfully defending her PhD thesis on the "Mechanisms Underlying the Repeated Evolution of Metabolic Pathways in Plants!" So proud of her achievements! We look forward to her future contributions to science!
May 26, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Congratulations to Matilde Florean from the Department of Natural Product Biosynthesis on successfully defending her PhD thesis on the "Mechanisms Underlying the Repeated Evolution of Metabolic Pathways in Plants!" So proud of her achievements! We look forward to her future contributions to science!
The MPI-CE team had an incredible time participating in this year's Firmenlauf charity run! The event was not just about running 5 km, but also about the spirit of collaboration and giving back to the community. Thank you to everyone who joined us and to those who supported us along the way!
May 22, 2025 at 7:33 AM
The MPI-CE team had an incredible time participating in this year's Firmenlauf charity run! The event was not just about running 5 km, but also about the spirit of collaboration and giving back to the community. Thank you to everyone who joined us and to those who supported us along the way!
Big congrats to Rolando Moreira Soto from the Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology on defending his PhD! His research on Drosophila oviposition shows females often lay eggs together, benefiting from social feeding despite risks like competition. A fascinating insight into insect decision-making!
May 13, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Big congrats to Rolando Moreira Soto from the Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology on defending his PhD! His research on Drosophila oviposition shows females often lay eggs together, benefiting from social feeding despite risks like competition. A fascinating insight into insect decision-making!
Congratulations to Melissa Diaz Morales for successfully defending her PhD thesis on the "Evolution of sex-pheromone receptors in Drosophila" supervised by Nicole van Dam, Markus Knaden and Bill Hansson! 👏 🎓 💐
May 8, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Congratulations to Melissa Diaz Morales for successfully defending her PhD thesis on the "Evolution of sex-pheromone receptors in Drosophila" supervised by Nicole van Dam, Markus Knaden and Bill Hansson! 👏 🎓 💐
PhD project offer: Molecular mechanisms of adaptation and counter-adaptation between Brassica and beetles
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Nicole van Dam, Dr. Franziska Beran, IGZ Großbeeren
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/402520/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
(c) Anna Schroll
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Nicole van Dam, Dr. Franziska Beran, IGZ Großbeeren
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/402520/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
(c) Anna Schroll
April 17, 2025 at 7:28 AM
PhD project offer: Molecular mechanisms of adaptation and counter-adaptation between Brassica and beetles
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Nicole van Dam, Dr. Franziska Beran, IGZ Großbeeren
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/402520/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
(c) Anna Schroll
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Nicole van Dam, Dr. Franziska Beran, IGZ Großbeeren
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/402520/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
(c) Anna Schroll
PhD project offer: A miRNA taming floral homeotic genes
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Günther Theissen, FSU; Dr. Roy Kirsch, MPI for Chemical Ecology
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/490820/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Günther Theissen, FSU; Dr. Roy Kirsch, MPI for Chemical Ecology
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/490820/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
April 17, 2025 at 7:09 AM
PhD project offer: A miRNA taming floral homeotic genes
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Günther Theissen, FSU; Dr. Roy Kirsch, MPI for Chemical Ecology
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/490820/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Günther Theissen, FSU; Dr. Roy Kirsch, MPI for Chemical Ecology
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/490820/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
PhD project offer: Metabolic exchanges, regulation and equilibrium of an ancient insect symbiosis
Supervisor: Dr. Mariana Galvao Ferrarini, Prof. Martin Kaltenpoth, Dr. Tobias Engl, MPI-CE
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319554/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
(c) Julian Kiefer
Supervisor: Dr. Mariana Galvao Ferrarini, Prof. Martin Kaltenpoth, Dr. Tobias Engl, MPI-CE
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319554/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
(c) Julian Kiefer
April 17, 2025 at 6:59 AM
PhD project offer: Metabolic exchanges, regulation and equilibrium of an ancient insect symbiosis
Supervisor: Dr. Mariana Galvao Ferrarini, Prof. Martin Kaltenpoth, Dr. Tobias Engl, MPI-CE
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319554/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
(c) Julian Kiefer
Supervisor: Dr. Mariana Galvao Ferrarini, Prof. Martin Kaltenpoth, Dr. Tobias Engl, MPI-CE
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319554/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
(c) Julian Kiefer
PhD project offer: Sensing the unseen: How diatoms detect and respond to highly dilute sex-inducing pheromones
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Georg Pohnert, FSU Jena; Dr. Markus Knaden MPI for Chemical Ecology
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319540/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Georg Pohnert, FSU Jena; Dr. Markus Knaden MPI for Chemical Ecology
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319540/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
April 17, 2025 at 6:51 AM
PhD project offer: Sensing the unseen: How diatoms detect and respond to highly dilute sex-inducing pheromones
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Georg Pohnert, FSU Jena; Dr. Markus Knaden MPI for Chemical Ecology
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319540/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Georg Pohnert, FSU Jena; Dr. Markus Knaden MPI for Chemical Ecology
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319540/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
Structural basis of two-component system signaling - Exciting PhD project offer in Ute Hellmich's group, FSU in collaboration with Sarah O'Connor
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319526/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/.../cb945467...
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319526/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/.../cb945467...
April 17, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Structural basis of two-component system signaling - Exciting PhD project offer in Ute Hellmich's group, FSU in collaboration with Sarah O'Connor
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319526/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/.../cb945467...
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319526/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/.../cb945467...
PhD project offer: Molecular mechanisms of membrane proteins underlying social insect behavior
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ute Hellmich, FSU; Dr. Yuko Ulrich, MPI for Chemical Ecology
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319512/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/.../cb945467...
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ute Hellmich, FSU; Dr. Yuko Ulrich, MPI for Chemical Ecology
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319512/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/.../cb945467...
April 17, 2025 at 6:33 AM
PhD project offer: Molecular mechanisms of membrane proteins underlying social insect behavior
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ute Hellmich, FSU; Dr. Yuko Ulrich, MPI for Chemical Ecology
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319512/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/.../cb945467...
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ute Hellmich, FSU; Dr. Yuko Ulrich, MPI for Chemical Ecology
More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319512/Proje...
Apply now: jobs.ice.mpg.de/.../cb945467...
PhD project offer: With six feet on the ground – How insects sense vibrations
Supervisors by Prof. Manuela Nowotny, FSU and Dr. Yuko Ulrich, MP for Chemical Ecology. More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319498/Proje...
Apply now: www.ice.mpg.de/296534/how-t...
(c) Jan Scherberich
Supervisors by Prof. Manuela Nowotny, FSU and Dr. Yuko Ulrich, MP for Chemical Ecology. More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319498/Proje...
Apply now: www.ice.mpg.de/296534/how-t...
(c) Jan Scherberich
April 17, 2025 at 6:26 AM
PhD project offer: With six feet on the ground – How insects sense vibrations
Supervisors by Prof. Manuela Nowotny, FSU and Dr. Yuko Ulrich, MP for Chemical Ecology. More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319498/Proje...
Apply now: www.ice.mpg.de/296534/how-t...
(c) Jan Scherberich
Supervisors by Prof. Manuela Nowotny, FSU and Dr. Yuko Ulrich, MP for Chemical Ecology. More information: www.ice.mpg.de/319498/Proje...
Apply now: www.ice.mpg.de/296534/how-t...
(c) Jan Scherberich
Deadline approaching! If you are interested in doing a PhD in chemical ecology check out the projects and apply here:
www.ice.mpg.de/296548/curre...
jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
www.ice.mpg.de/296548/curre...
jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
April 16, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Deadline approaching! If you are interested in doing a PhD in chemical ecology check out the projects and apply here:
www.ice.mpg.de/296548/curre...
jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...
www.ice.mpg.de/296548/curre...
jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...