PhD position: Genomics and Functional Genetics of Temperature-dependent
Egg Development Time in Insects
**Application deadline: July 8, 2025**

*What?*
4-year full-time PhD position at Leiden University, the Netherlands,
with the goal to identify universal genes involved in the temperature
sensitivity of insect egg development. To be able to predict which wild
insect populations harbor sufficient genetic variation to effectively
respond to selection by climate change.

*Preferred start date: 1 October 2025*

*Why?*
Insect species that overwinter as eggs are particularly vulnerable
to climate change, as egg development time strongly depends on
temperature. However, the genetic underpinning of egg development time
in insects is poorly known, making it difficult to assess population
adaptive potential.

*Who?*
You will address this knowledge gap in the group of Maurijn van der Zee
at Leiden University, the Netherlands, as part of an NWO ENW M2 grant
funded in collaboration with the Department of Animal Ecology at the
Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW).

*How?*
You will use functional genetics approaches (RNAi, CRISPR/Cas9) and
genomics approaches (RNAseq, WGS) - in both the model system Tribolium
castaneum and in wild populations from 12 different insect species (bugs,
butterflies, and grasshoppers) - to find universal genes involved in
the temperature sensitivity of egg development across insects.

*Requirements*
MSc in Biology or related field
Experience or affinity with analyses of genomic and transcriptomic
sequencing data
Wet-lab experience with, or eager to learn, molecular biological
techniques such as molecular cloning, qPCR, RNAi, and CRISPR/Cas9
Interested to work with insects
Strong interest in ecology and evolutionary developmental biology
(evo-devo) Ability to work independently, but also to collaborate in an
academic research team Skills to communicate scientific data in spoken
and written English

*Apply now!*
For a full description of the position and how to apply, see:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/vacatures/2025-nl/q2/15758phd-genomics-and-functional-genetics-of-temperature-dependent-egg-development-time-in-insects

Or contact Dr. Maurijn van der Zee (m.van.der.zee@biology.leidenuniv.nl)
for more information.

"Van Dis, Natalie E" <natalie.vandis@helsinki.fi>

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