PhD position: Insect sex determination The Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES - https://www.rug.nl/research/gelifes/) offers a 4-year fully-funded PhD position for a project on sex determination in flies, focusing on the black soldier fly. Job description Sex determination mechanisms are very diverse and undergo rapid evolutionary change, whereas the end product is always the two sexes, females and males. This PhD project aims to elucidate the genetic regulation of sex determination in black soldier fly (BSF), the major production insect in the food and feed industry. Flies show remarkable variation in modes of sex determination and genetic elements involved in their sex determination cascade. The candidate will compare the sex determination cascade across fly species to detect loss/gain-of-function gene homologs. The primary functional genetic approach of the project aims to uncover the molecular regulation of the BSF sex determination mechanism. Furthermore, the candidate will screen for sex determination variants in BSF populations using genomic sequence data and genetic crosses between strains. As males and females are commercially not of equal value, only females produce eggs that develop into larvae, manipulation of population sex ratios towards more females can be highly economically profitable. The project will yield fundamental scientific insights into the evolution of sex determination mechanisms, and we will apply the obtained knowledge to develop novel female-bias strains of the black soldier fly to improve its production economics. Qualifications The PhD is expected to contribute to perform research into the molecular and genetic basis of sex determination in the black soldier fly. The candidate will process the obtained data into multiple chapters for a PhD thesis and publish in scientific journals. The candidate will gain 30 ECTS in the PhD training programme (courses and attending scientific meetings) and will spend 10% of time on teaching. The successful candidate should have: A Master's degree (or equivalent) in evolutionary biology or genetics, with affinity for bioinformatics, molecular biology and/or entomology High motivation in pursuing academic research High and demonstrated English proficiency Effective communication (both written and spoken in English) and collaboration abilities. Give presentations at national and international scientific meetings, and collaborate with Thomas More University in Belgium Demonstrable project and time management skills Conditions of employment We offer you, following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities: A salary of euro 3.059 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of euro 3.881gross per month in the fourth and final year for a full-time working week A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an 8.3% year-end bonus A full-time position (1.0 FTE) for 48 months. The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected. A PhD training programme is part of the agreement, and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering. Organisation Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen enjoys an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative institution of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Flexible study programmes and academic career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 35,000 students and researchers alike to develop their own individual talents. As one of the best research universities in Europe, the University of Groningen has joined forces with other top universities and networks worldwide to become a truly global centre of knowledge. The candidate will be based in the research groups of Dr. Elzemiek Geuverink and Prof. Leo W. Beukeboom at the Groningen Institute of Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES) of the University of Groningen for a period of 48 months. The candidate is expected to perform some of the research at Prof. Lotte Froonincx laboratory at Thomas More University (Geel, Belgium). Start date is Spring 2026. Application Your application should include: Letter of motivation. CV (including contact information for at least two academic references) Transcripts from your Bachelor's and Master's degree. Proof of written English text, preferably by Master Diploma taught in English or recent English language test; and Master thesis written in English. You may apply for this position until 31 January 11:59pm / before 1 February 2026 Dutch local time (CET) by means of the application form. To apply: https://werkenbij.rug.nl/vacature/phd-position-insect-sex-determination-1566/?lang=en "de Boer, Tineke" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)