PhD Student Position in Plant Metabolomics and Evolution

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with a background
in bioinformatics to join our research team investigating the global
drivers of phytochemical diversity. This project aims to uncover how
the remarkable diversity of plant metabolites relates to biotic and
abiotic stress across the globe. As a model system, we focus on the
Salicaceae family, which provides an exceptional opportunity to study
phytochemical evolution thanks to its broad geographic distribution,
ecological diversity, and well-characterized phylogeny.

Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
*              Analyse Salicaceae metabolomes using advanced
               metabolomics and bioinformatics;
*              Develop bioinformatic pipelines integrating existing
               tools to acquire deeper insights into structural and
               functional chemical variation;
*              Collaborate with team members to interpret chemical
               diversity within an evolutionary and ecological
               framework, including the inference of Salicaceae
               phylogeny;
*              Contribute to joint analyses linking field-based
               ecological data with chemical and genomic datasets.
               Through these approaches, the PhD candidate will
               contribute to understanding how plant chemistry evolves
               and adapts in response to environmental and ecological
               pressures, offering new insights into the
               multidimensional nature of phytochemical diversity.

Requirements
*              A MSc degree (a non-negotiable requirement for PhD
               program eligibility);
*              A strong interest in plant ecology, evolution, and
               bioinformatics;
*              Experience with metabolomics or phylogenomics (highly
               desirable);
*              Experience in bioinformatic data manipulation and
               workflow development (Bash essential, familiarity with
               Python or R highly desirable);
*              Experience in biostatistics or data integration
               (advantageous);
*              Fluent written and spoken English;
*              Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a
               multidisciplinary environment.

What We Offer
The successful candidate will join the Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology
led by Martin Volf (https://www.volflab.com) at Biology Centre of the
Czech Academy of Sciences, and will study at the University of South
Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. Our young and dynamic
team combines expertise in ecology, metabolomics, phylogenetics, and
evolutionary biology. The department where we are based hosts a vibrant
international research environment and is recognized as a world-class
center for eco-evolutionary research. The PhD candidate will benefit from
close collaboration with researchers conducting complementary fieldwork
and experimental studies. The scholarship fully covers living expenses
in the Czech Republic for the entire four-year PhD program.

Application Details
*              Deadline: December 10, 2025
*              Interviews: Mid-December 2025
*              Start date: April 1, 2026
To apply, please send:
1.            A CV,
2.            A cover letter describing your motivation, relevant
              experience, and research interests,
3.            Contact details for three references
Applications and inquiries should be sent to volf@entu.cas.cz

Volf Martin <volf@entu.cas.cz>

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