Predoc; Environmental Sciences and Technologies

Autonomous University of Madrid (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid); Spagna; In loco; EUR 21.000 - 27.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

The Autonomous University of Madrid (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid) invites applications for a funded PhD position within the MADASIA project, aimed at systematics, evolution, and diversification of Euphorbiaceae. The PhD will combine taxonomic study, phylogenomic analyses, and biogeographical history to understand evolutionary relationships among tropical Asian and Madagascan lineages.

Responsibilities include literature review, herbarium work, field sampling, DNA extraction and Hyb-Seq

Competenze

• PhD position fully funded and time-limited.
• Strong background in botanical systematics and phylogenetics desirable.
• Experience with herbarium specimens and fieldwork is preferred.

Mansioni

• Review taxonomic literature and examine herbarium specimens.
• Plan and conduct fieldwork and sample collection in study regions.
• Perform molecular lab work including DNA extraction and library prep for Hyb-Seq.
• Process sequencing data and assemble phylogenomic datasets.
• Integrate public data into phylogenomic analyses and model diversification.
• Interpret results and prepare manuscripts for publication.

Conoscenze

Plant systematics

Taxonomy

Phylogenetics

Biogeography

Herbarium work

Molecular biology

Bioinformatics

R

RevBayes

Academic English

Formazione

Biology-related Master/PhD track

Strumenti

Hyb-Seq

DNA extraction

Sequence assembly

Descrizione del lavoro

Organisation/Company Autonomous University of Madrid (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid) Department Biology Department Research Field Biological sciences > Botany Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 30 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Offer Starting Date 11 Feb 2027 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

We welcome applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position at the University Autónoma de Madrid (Spain) to work within the project "Systematics, evolution, and diversification of Euphorbiaceae in Tropical Asia and Madagascar" (MADASIA,PID2025-168178NB-I00), led by Patricia Barberá (UAM) and Ricarda Riina (RJB-CSIC). The thesis will integrate taxonomic, phylogenomic, biogeographical, and environmental data to investigate evolutionary relationships, diversification patterns, and the biogeographical history of selected lineages within the family.

• Acquire a solid taxonomic understanding of the target groups within Euphorbiaceae through a comprehensive review of botanical literature and examination of herbarium specimens.
• Plan and conduct fieldwork and sample collection in the study regions.
• Perform laboratory procedures, including sample selection, DNA extraction, library preparation, target enrichment (Hyb-Seq), and library pooling for high-throughput sequencing.
• Process sequencing data using bioinformatic pipelines, including sequence recovery, quality filtering, and assembly of phylogenomic datasets.
• Retrieve and integrate publicly available data into phylogenomic datasets.
• Conduct phylogenomic analyses using nuclear and plastid datasets, including divergence time estimation and diversification analyses.
• Compile, curate, and analyse species distribution and environmental data, including environmental niche modelling for selected case studies.
• Interpret and discuss research findings, and prepare scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Academic background in Biology, Botany, Biodiversity, Evolutionary Biology, or related fields.
• Knowledge of plant systematics, taxonomy, phylogenetics, and biogeography.
• Familiarity with herbarium collections and botanical fieldwork.
• Basic knowledge of molecular laboratory techniques and/or bioinformatic analyses.
• Familiarity with statistical and computational tools (e.g., R, RevBayes) would be an asset.
• Good written and spoken English.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international research environment.
• Motivation to develop new technical and scientific skills and conduct doctoral research.

Specific Requirements

• Previous research experience or training in plant systematics, taxonomy, evolutionary biology, phylogenetics, biogeography, or biodiversity conservation.
• Interest and willingness to work with herbarium specimens, botanical collections, and/or conduct botanical fieldwork.
• Some experience or willingness to work on molecular laboratory techniques, particularly DNA extraction, library preparation, and target sequence capture (Hyb-Seq).
• Some experience in bioinformatic analyses of genomic data and familiarity with computational tools such as R, RevBayes, or related software.
• Some experience in managing and analyzing species distribution data and/or environmental niche modelling.
• Previous participation in research projects, scientific publications, or conference presentations will be positively valued.

Languages

ENGLISH Level Good

Additional Information

Salary, Social Security coverage, and funding for international research stays will be subject to the terms and conditions established in the official FPI call.

Eligibility criteria

All applicants must meet the eligibility requirements established in the official FPI call. The final conditions will be those specified in the corresponding call for applications.