YOUNG RESEARCHER IN THE FIELD OF VITICULTURE AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL USING MICROORGANISMS

18 Mar 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Agriculture institute of Slovenia

Department

Research

Research Field

Agricultural sciences » Agronomics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions

PhD Positions

Application Deadline

6 May 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Ljubljana)

Country

Slovenia

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 Oct 2026

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 Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, within the Agrobiodiversity Research Group, is hiring a Junior Researcher and invites all interested candidates to apply.

Conducting research in the field of viticulture and biological control using microorganisms under the mentorship of Dr. Katja Šuklje Antalick

PhD candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Katja Šuklje Antalick and co-supervision of Dr. Janja Zajc Žunič in the field of viticulture and biological plant protection based on microorganisms (yeasts and fungi).

The work will focus on research of biological approaches for protecting grapevine against major pathogens, such as Botrytis cinerea, Plasmopara viticola, and Erysiphe necator. The research will be carried out in the laboratory, where experiments will be conducted to test antagonistic yeasts and fungi against selected grapevine pathogenic fungi. Based on these experiments, the most promising biocontrol agents will be selected for further studies on their mechanisms of action.

Using metabolomic analyses, we will investigate changes in plant metabolic profiles following treatments with selected microorganisms and identify potential biomarkers associated with increased resistance. The effectiveness of the selected biocontrol agents will ultimately also be tested under real vineyard production conditions.

During the training, the young researcher will gain knowledge and experience in laboratory work in the fields of microbiology (mycology), biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and multivariate data analysis, which will be combined with work on grapevine and innovative biological protection strategies.

The program and the precise content of the doctoral thesis will be finalized in agreement with the selected candidate.

Where to apply

E-mail

kadri@kis.si

Requirements

Research Field

Agricultural sciences » Agronomics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Passion for research and analytical thinking;
• Organizational skills and solution-oriented approach;
• Laboratory work experience;
• Precision and responsibility;
• High motivation and proactivity;
• Teamwork and collaboration orientation.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Agricultural sciences » Agronomics

Additional Information
Benefits

• Employment for the duration of the doctoral studies from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2030, with the possibility of long-term cooperation;
• Opportunities to regularly attend international scientific meetings;
• New knowledge and experience in the interdisciplinary field;
• Creative and stimulating work environment with access to modern equipment;
• Work in an international and multicultural environment;
• Opportunities for personal and career development;
• Free parking, use of company bicycles, and use of an electric car charging station.

Eligibility criteria

• Completed Master degree or equivalent education at University level;
• Fields of study: agronomy and horticulture, microbiology, biology, or a comparable natural science field;
• The candidate has not yet completed a Ph.D. or obtained the scientific title of Doctor of Science and has not been employed with the status of young researcher in Slovenia;
• No more than four years will have passed since the completion of the study by the time of entry into the funding scheme (October 1, 2026);
• Motivation for interdisciplinary research work;
• Mandatory (for more information please contact kadri@kis.si ): Fulfillment of the conditions set by the General Legal Act on Stable Funding of Scientific Research Activities and the Rules on the Selection and Financing of Young Researchers at the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia.

Additional comments

Candidates are invited to send their applications with a CV and:

• Proof of the average grade of all exams and exercises in undergraduate studies, i.e. Bachelor and Masters degrees;
• Certificate of completed studies and the grade of the master's thesis;
• Information on whether you are already enrolled in doctoral studies – attach a certificate of enrollment to the email address: kadri@kis.si

Website for additional job details

https://www.kis.si/informacijsko-sredisce/zaposlitev/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Agriculture Institute of Slovenia

Country

Slovenia

City

Ljubljana

Postal Code

1000

Street

Hacquetova ulica 17

Geofield

Contact

City

Ljubljana

Website

https://www.kis.si/

Street

Hacquetova ulica 17

Postal Code

1000

E-Mail

kadri@kis.si

STATUS: EXPIRED

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