PhD Student (Ref 52/2026)

Centre de Recerca en Agrigenòmica; España; On-site; EUR 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Centre de Recerca en Agrigenòmica (CRAG) invites applications for a First Stage Researcher (R1) PhD candidate. The project focuses on Rosaceae genetics and genomics within the PANTEDIV study, involving DNA/RNA work, pangenome analyses, and population genomics using short and long reads.

The role requires a degree in agronomy, biology, or biotechnology, strong English, and a proactive team player attitude. Applicants should be prepared for occasional field sampling and collaboration with

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in agronomy, biology, biotechnology or similar
• Advanced English required
• Analytical and problem-solving skills essential
• Communication and training abilities valued
• Ability to coordinate and work in a technical team with others

Responsibilities

• Perform DNA and RNA extraction and library preparation
• Build and analyze pangenome variation graphs for Prunus and Citrus
• Analyze population sequencing data with short and long reads
• Identify structural variants linked to agronomic traits
• Analyze transcriptomic and epigenetic datasets
• Contribute to data management and bioinformatics pipelines
• Participate in scientific meetings and field trips for sampling

Skills

English (Advanced)

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Proactive mindset

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor degree or equivalent in agronomy/biology/biotechnology

Tools

Illumina sequencing

PacBio sequencing

Nanopore sequencing

R

Python

High-Performance Computing

Job description

Organisation/Company Centre de Recerca en Agrigenòmica Research Field Biological sciences » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 10 Nov 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 15 Nov 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

ABOUT CRAG:

CRAG is an independent research institution engaged in leading-edge basic and applied plant and farm animal sciences. CRAG is established as a Consortium of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), and University of Barcelona (UB). The Center is located at the UAB Campus, and currently hosts 200 members from across the world.

The Rosaceae genetics and genomics group is looking for a PhD candidate that will contribute to the following tasks of the PANTEDIV project (PID2025-175078NB-I00).

• Perform DNA and RNA extraction, library preparation and other routine molecular biology procedures.
• Build and analyze pangenome variation graphs of Prunus and Citrus accessions
• Analyze population-level sequencing data using both short and long reads and pangenome frameworks.
• Identify structural variants associated with agronomically relevant traits (SV-GWAS)
• Analyze transcriptomic and epigenetic datasets
• Contribute to data management and bioinformatics pipeline development
• Participate in scientific meetings and in occasional field trips for sample collection.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Contract Duration: Temporary

Hours/week: full time

Requirements

Research Field Biological sciences » Other Education Level Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Skills:

• Advanced level of English.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Communication skills and user training abilities.
• Proactive and continuous improvement-oriented mindset.
• Ability to coordinate and work within a technical team.

Specific Requirements

REQUIREMENTS:

Educational requirements:

Degree in agronomy, biology, biotechnology or similar

The following will be positively valued:

• Hands-on experience in Illumina, PacBio and Nanopore sequencing (library preparation and downstream analyses)
• Experience in computational genomics (genome assembly, annotation, alignment, variant detection, epigenetics)
• Experience in R, python programming and high-performance computing

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Additional Information

Selection process

SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS:

CRAG is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission. All candidates will be considered qualified for the job without restrictions of gender, race, nationality or disability.

Integration policy: reserve the place in a first turn for disabled staff.