PhD Candidate: Plant Microbiome & Metabolic Modelling

Autonomous University of Madrid (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid); España; On-site; EUR 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Autonomous University of Madrid (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid) in Spain seeks a PhD candidate for the RHIZOINTERACT project. The role combines computational biology with experimental microbiology to study wheat rhizosphere microbiomes and plant-beneficial inoculants.

The researcher will work on genome-scale metabolic models, flux balance analysis, and multi-omics data integration, with opportunities to present findings at meetings and in publications.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics or related field and admission to the PhD Programme in Microbiology at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
• Experience combining experimental microbiology with bioinformatics and/or genome‑scale metabolic modelling; experience with GEM reconstruction and FBA using CarveMe/COBRApy/MICOM will be valuable.
• English proficiency at least B2 level is required.

Responsibilities

• Carry out a PhD within the RHIZOINTERACT project framework, focusing on bacterial interactions and wheat rhizosphere microbiome assembly.
• Perform genome analyses, multi-omics data analysis and modelling; curate and reconstruct GEMs, perform FBA and simulate metabolic interactions.
• Design and execute bacteria–bacteria interaction assays and plant–microbe experiments with wheat; contribute to publications and conferences.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Genome-scale modelling

Flux balance analysis

Experimental microbiology

English proficiency (B2)

Education

Master’s degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics or related field

Tools

CarveMe

COBRApy

MICOM

MATLAB

R

Python

Job description

Autonomous University of Madrid (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid) in Spain seeks a PhD candidate for the RHIZOINTERACT project. The role combines computational biology with experimental microbiology to study wheat rhizosphere microbiomes and plant-beneficial inoculants.

The researcher will work on genome-scale metabolic models, flux balance analysis, and multi-omics data integration, with opportunities to present findings at meetings and in publications.