PhD candidate

Organisation/Company Institute of Plant Genetics PAS Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Final date to receive applications 11 Sep 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Warsaw) Country Poland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 11 Aug 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

Recruitment to the Poznań Doctoral School of the Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences at the Institute of Plant Genetics, PAS in Poznań

Procedure no. 15/2026/IGR/PSD

PhD CANDIDATE IN AN NCN OPUS 27 PROJECT

Genetics, genomics and bioinformatics of flowering in lupins

INSTITUTION: Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences

POSITION: PhD candidate

POSITIONS AVAILABLE: 1

SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINE: agriculture and horticulture

Research topic: The project aims to uncover pathways controlling flowering induction, responses to vernalisation and adaptation to changing environmental conditions in New World lupins (NWLs), and to compare them with mechanisms described in Old World lupins (OWLs). The research will help elucidate genetic and evolutionary relationships among species and the mechanisms shaping diversity and adaptation across the genus Lupinus. The findings will contribute to a global model of flowering and vernalisation that could support breeding programmes using wild lupin species and the development of new sources of plant protein.

Place of employment: Department of Gene Structure and Function, Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences

Purpose of the position: implementation of the OPUS 27 project no. 2024/53/B/NZ9/01796

Scope of research: The doctoral research will test the hypothesis that the molecular mechanisms underlying the response to vernalisation in New World lupins resemble those described in OWLs, while the rapid evolution that occurred in the Andes may have led to additional changes specific to NWLs. The work will include observations of successive phenological stages, collection of plant material, whole-genome DNA sequencing, genotyping using DArT-seq and RAD-seq, and molecular and bioinformatic analyses, including differential gene expression analysis, RT-qPCR, synteny analysis and the identification of genome rearrangements.

The results will help describe previously unknown mechanisms controlling flowering induction and provide new insights into the evolution of the genus Lupinus.

Responsibilities in the project

• Conducting research on plant material in accordance with the project plan;
• Processing, analysing and interpreting the results;
• Collaborating with members of the Department of Gene Structure and Function;
• Contributing to scientific publications and conference presentations.

What we offer

• Participation in an interdisciplinary NCN OPUS 27 project combining genetics, genomics, phenotyping and bioinformatics;
• Scientific guidance from a supervisor and co-supervisor, together with collaboration within the Department of Gene Structure and Function;
• Opportunities to develop practical skills in molecular biology, genetics, genomics, plant breeding, genotyping and genomic data analysis;
• Participation in data interpretation and the preparation of scientific publications and conference presentations;
• Doctoral training at PDS IPAS and completion of the PhD project at IPG PAS in Poznań;
• A doctoral scholarship for 48 months, subject to the terms and amounts specified below.

Candidate profile

• Master's degree in biology, biotechnology or a related discipline.
• Basic knowledge of genetics, including genetic mapping and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping.
• Basic knowledge of gene-expression regulation in eukaryotic organisms.
• Ability to use MS Office applications, particularly Word and Excel.
• At least a good command of spoken and written English.
• Applicants from outside the European Union must be prepared to provide documents confirming their right to reside in Poland or a written statement confirming their ability to begin on-site work on the project within the…