PhD Student Position in Plant Metabolomics and Evolution

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with a background in bioinformatics to join our research team investigating the global drivers of phytochemical diversity. This project aims to uncover how the remarkable diversity of plant metabolites relates to biotic and abiotic stress across the globe. As a model system, we focus on the Salicaceae family, which provides an exceptional opportunity to study phytochemical evolution thanks to its broad geographic distribution, ecological diversity, and well-characterized phylogeny.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
• Analyse Salicaceae metabolomes using advanced metabolomics and bioinformatics;
• Develop bioinformatic pipelines integrating existing tools to acquire deeper insights into structural and functional chemical variation;
• Collaborate with team members to interpret chemical diversity within an evolutionary and ecological framework, including the inference of Salicaceae phylogeny;
• Contribute to joint analyses linking field-based ecological data with chemical and genomic datasets.
Through these approaches, the PhD candidate will contribute to understanding how plant chemistry evolves and adapts in response to environmental and ecological pressures, offering new insights into the multidimensional nature of phytochemical diversity.
Requirements
• A MSc degree (a non-negotiable requirement for PhD program eligibility);
• A strong interest in plant ecology, evolution, and bioinformatics;
• Experience with metabolomics or phylogenomics (highly desirable);
• Experience in bioinformatic data manipulation and workflow development (Bash essential, familiarity with Python or R highly desirable);
• Experience in biostatistics or data integration (advantageous);
• Fluent written and spoken English;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
What We Offer
The successful candidate will join the Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology led by Martin Volf (https://www.volflab.com) at Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, and will study at the University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. Our young and dynamic team combines expertise in ecology, metabolomics, phylogenetics, and evolutionary biology. The department where we are based hosts a vibrant international research environment and is recognized as a world-class center for eco-evolutionary research. The PhD candidate will benefit from close collaboration with researchers conducting complementary fieldwork and experimental studies. The scholarship fully covers living expenses in the Czech Republic for the entire four-year PhD program.
Application Details
• Deadline: December 10, 2025
• Interviews: Mid-December 2025
• Start date: April 1, 2026
To apply, please send:
1. A CV,
2. A cover letter describing your motivation, relevant experience, and research interests,
3. Contact details for three references
Applications and inquiries should be sent to volf@entu.cas.cz