The international call for PhD candidates is part of the activities of the ViroiDoc project - Advanced Research on Viroid Pathogenesis and Control for Sustainable Agriculture, coordinated by the University of Ljubljana with the support of the European Union's Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network. The deadline for applications is 5 September 2025.
Publish date
23. 7. 2025
Due date
5. 9. 2025 at 23.59
Status
In progress
Type
Job application
-
Documentation
The ViroiDoc Doctoral Network is seeking for 2 highly motivated Doctoral Candidates
- Collaborating in research labs in Italy.
- Research projects on viroids, the smallest plant pathogens, and viroid-like RNAs that have only recently been discovered outside the plant kingdom.
- Secondments to partner laboratories or companies involved in plant breeding and plant protection located in Slovenia and Spain.
- For applicants with a university degree (MSc or equivalent) in plant biology, genetics, cell biology, biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, chemistry or a related discipline, completed no later than by the start of the PhD project.
- The successful candidate should have a strong interest in conducting collaborative research in international and cross-sectoral contexts.
- The successful candidates will have the opportunity to participate in the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA).
- One of the (specific) eligibility criteria: The candidate has not resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the selected host laboratory for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.
Full details of the vacancies, the training programme and how to apply are available at https://www.viroidoc.eu/people#job-vacancies.
Deadline for applications: 5 September 2025 by 23:59 CET.
Further information on vacancies: info@viroidoc.eu.
About the ViroiDoc project
ViroiDoc is a doctoral network that comprises academic institutions and industry partners from Slovenia, Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Poland, the United States, and Argentina. Collectively, they offer an exceptional interdisciplinary research and innovative training environment for 10 doctoral students, equipping them with the expertise to advance their careers in research, product and service development in agriculture, biotech, and biomedicine. ViroiDoc is committed to comprehensively understanding and addressing the challenges posed by viroids in alignment with the European Green Deal and the Farm-to-Fork strategy for sustainable crop production and food security.
What exactly are viroids, and why is controlling them important?
Viroids are the smallest infectious plant pathogens, causing crop losses worth tens of millions of euros annually and affecting yield and crop quality worldwide. Climate change enables viroids to occupy new geographic areas and hosts, thereby endangering global food security. For more information, visit www.viroidoc.eu.
The project is coordinated by the University of Ljubljana (Biotechnical Faculty) and funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe MSCA DN programme.