PhD position at the Evolutionary Microbiology Lab (Institute of Evolutionary Biology, IBE)

Updated: 2 months ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 31 Mar 2025

21 Feb 2025
Job Information
Organisation/Company

Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-UPF)
Research Field

Biological sciences » Other
Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions

PhD Positions
Country

Spain
Application Deadline

31 Mar 2025 - 12:59 (Europe/Madrid)
Type of Contract

Temporary
Job Status

Full-time
Hours Per Week

37,5
Offer Starting Date

9 Jan 2025
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The Evolutionary Microbiology Lab led by Macarena Toll-Riera is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join our research team at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Barcelona, Spain. 

Group description: In the Evolutionary Microbiology lab we study the molecular mechanisms that facilitate adaptation to changing environments and the limits of adaptation using a combination of computational approaches, experimental evolution (of bacteria and single proteins), and omics (sequencing, transcriptomics). The group is part of the Biodiversity Program at IBE. 

We are a small, but collaborative and dynamic group. The candidate will benefit from a vibrant and interdisciplinary academic environment with excellent opportunities for education, training, and collaboration. 

Institute Description: The Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE) is a joint Institute of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) located in Barcelona city. IBE research is focused on the processes and mechanisms that generate biodiversity and on understanding the genetic basis of evolution. The IBE is a center member of the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB).

Project description

Environments change constantly, but bacteria can rapidly adapt to stressful conditions. How can bacteria adapt so quickly?  The candidate will use experimental evolution to investigate how bacteria with multipartite genomes adapt to two sources of stress: high temperatures (close to the upper thermal tolerance) and nutrient scarcity.  Evolution experiments will be coupled with whole genome sequencing to unravel the genetic changes underlying adaptation.

Candidate requisites

  • The successful candidate should hold a master’s degree in a relevant area such as evolutionary biology or microbiology and have a genuine interest in evolutionary biology
  • Standard molecular biology techniques (microbiological culture, PCR, DNA and RNA isolation, cloning)
  • Programming skills and experience analysing next-generation sequencing data are an asset
  • Proficiency in English (oral and written)
  • The candidate should be highly motivated, enthusiastic, curious, and able to work independently and as part of a team

 

What do we offer?

  • A fully funded three-year PhD contract, funded by CSIC (Excelencia RyC-Max 20243MAX009)
  • Salary: around 24.400 € gross salary
  • Starting date: September/October 2025
  • Location: Institute of Evolutionary Biology (Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37 – 49,  Barcelona, Spain)

 

Application process

If you are interested in this position, please send your application (one single PDF file) to  Macarena Toll-Riera (macarena.toll@ibe.upf-csic.es ) with the subject line ‘Ph.D. student position’ and the following documents: motivation letter describing your interest in the position, CV, and contact information from two potential references. The deadline for applications is 31st March 2025. 


Where to apply
E-mail

macarena.toll@ibe.upf-csic.es

Requirements
Research Field
Biological sciences » Biology
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Required educational level:

Master’s degree in evolutionary biology or microbiology 

SKILL / QUALIFICATIONS: 

Standard molecular biology techniques (microbiological culture, PCR, DNA and RNA isolation, cloning)


Specific Requirements

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: 

  • The candidate should have a genuine interest in evolutionary biology
  • Programming skills and experience analysing next-generation sequencing data are an asset
  • The candidate should be highly motivated, enthusiastic, curious, and able to work independently and as part of a team

REQUIRED LANGUAGES

Proficiency in English (oral and written)

REQUIRED RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in evolutionary biology or microbiology 


Languages
ENGLISH
Level
Excellent

Research Field
Biological sciences » Other

Internal Application form(s) needed
job_offer_PhD_2025.pdf
English
(164.47 KB - PDF)
Download
Additional Information
Benefits

What do we offer?

  • A fully funded three-year PhD contract, funded by CSIC (Excelencia RyC-Max 20243MAX009)
  • Salary: around 24.400 € gross salary
  • Starting date: September/October 2025
  • Location: Institute of Evolutionary Biology (Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37 – 49,  Barcelona, Spain)

Eligibility criteria

Required educational level:

Master’s degree in evolutionary biology or microbiology 

 

SKILL / QUALIFICATIONS: 

Standard molecular biology techniques (microbiological culture, PCR, DNA and RNA isolation, cloning)

 

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: 

  • The candidate should have a genuine interest in evolutionary biology
  • Programming skills and experience analysing next-generation sequencing data are an asset
  • The candidate should be highly motivated, enthusiastic, curious, and able to work independently and as part of a team

 

 

REQUIRED LANGUAGES

Proficiency in English (oral and written)

 

REQUIRED RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in evolutionary biology or microbiology 


Selection process

Application process

If you are interested in this position, please send your application (one single PDF file) to  Macarena Toll-Riera (macarena.toll@ibe.upf-csic.es ) with the subject line ‘Ph.D. student position’ and the following documents: motivation letter describing your interest in the position, CV, and contact information from two potential references. The deadline for applications is 31st March 2025. 


Website for additional job details

https://www.ibe.upf-csic.es/work-with-us/job-offers

Work Location(s)
Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE: CSIC-UPF)
Country
Spain
State/Province
Catalunya
City
Barcelona
Postal Code
08003
Street
Pseig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49 08003 Barcelona

Contact
State/Province

Catalunya
City

Barcelona
Website

http://www.ibe.upf-csic.es/
Street

Passeig maritim de la Barceloneta 37-49
Postal Code

08003
E-Mail

macarena.toll@ibe.upf-csic.es
Phone

932309507

STATUS: EXPIRED

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