PhD position in arthropod gut microbiome and process

Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry

Employment contract

The Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences is seeking a student to work on the pan-microbiome of millipedes using stable isotopes and 'omics methods.
 

Background
Millipedes are one of the largest and most important invertebrate classes. Typically detritivores, millipedes are considered keystone species in many terrestrial ecosys-tems. Like most arthropods, millipedes host a diverse microbiome in their guts, yet the exact roles of this gut microbiome remain unclear. Millipede species share much of their diet but differ in their gut conditions and, hence, likely in the microbially-derived processes occurring in them, as evidenced by the fact that only some species are methanogenic. Therefore, millipedes make an excellent model system for study-ing the microbiome structure and function, and the role of small anaerobic niches in the functions of terrestrial ecosystems. This project builds on our previous work 1,2,3 with two model species of millipedes and will chart the pan-microbiome of the mil-lipedes and elucidate its functions.

1. Nweze JE, Šustr V, Brune A, Angel R. Functional similarity, despite taxonomical divergence in the millipede gut microbiota, points to a common trophic strategy. Microbiome. 2024;12:16. 
2. Nweze JE, Schweichhart JS, Angel R. Viral communities in millipede guts: In-sights into the diversity and potential role in modulating the microbiome. Environ Microbiol. 2024;26:e16586. 
3. Nweze JE, Gupta S, Salcher MM, Šustr V, Horváthová T, Angel R. Disruption of millipede-gut microbiota in E. pulchripes and G. connexa highlights the limited role of litter fermentation and the importance of litter-associated microbes for nutrition. Commun Biol. 2024;7:1–12. 
 

Research infrastructure and study programme
Work will be done at the Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry (ISBB), Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences (BC CAS) in České Budějovice under the graduate study programme of the University of South Bohemia. ISBB focuses on soil regeneration and maintenance of soil fertility in both natural and human-affected ecosystems. The main research lines include the structure and dy-namics of soil communities, the interactions amongst soil animals, microorganisms and the abiotic part of the soil, soil microstructures, and nutrient cycling and soil transformation. We use diverse methodological approaches (molecular biology, sta-ble isotopes, field ecology, mathematical modelling, etc.) and a combination of ana-lytical and holistic approaches to problem-solving. Core facilities with shared equipment support all research groups.
 

Links
About the research group: 
https://www.bc.cas.cz/kontakty/adresar-zamestnancu/zamestnanec/20948/ 
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Roey_Angel  

About the doctoral programme: https://www.prf.jcu.cz/en/study-at-the-faculty/information-for-phd-students  
Studying in Czechia and living costs https://www.studyin.cz/live-work/living-costs/ 
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Ceske-Budejovice  

Applicants should hold an M.Sc. in Biological Sciences (preferably microbiology) and must be strongly motivated to work in this multidisciplinary field. The work will be split between lab and computational work. Prior experience in Linux, bioin-formatics, and scripting languages will be favourably considered. Candidates must be proficient in English.

• 5 weeks of paid holiday yearly (for 1 FTE)
• Subsidized lunches in our own canteen
• Standard health insurance and social security
• Benefits from Social fund and student benefits
• Working in a stable, prestigious research institution of international importance
• Welcome service and further support for foreigners (HR Award)
• English speaking, friendly & stimulating international working environment
• Work-life balance in a middle-sized university city offering options for outdoor, sport & cultural activities
• Free language classes (Czech for foreigners, English for Czechs)
• Concessionary services at the contractual operator and bank

The Biology Centre is located in České Budějovice (2 hours south of the capital Prague), a middle-sized city with ca. 100K inhabitants, relaxed atmosphere, over 750 years of tradition and a breathtaking countryside around. Both the town and the surrounding countryside provide numerous opportunities for research and leisure activities. There is also a growing international expert community at the Biology Centre CAS (BC CAS) and the University of South Bohemia (USB). In addition, the living costs are still low by international standards. Check out our Guide for Expats (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/employees) to read about life in the city and the Czech Republic.

The Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences holds the HR Award. Our selection process meets European standards for recruitment of researchers (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/employees/candidates/otm-r/) and we provide our employees from abroad with welcome service (visa application, administration, relocation & settlement support). Gender equality plan (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/about-us/gender-equality) has been accepted in 2022.

Please submit a professional CV (no more than two pages), a statement of interest and motivation for the position (max. one page), a list of publications (if any), and the names and contact information of two professional references via email with the subject Millipedes_microbiome_2025-doctoral via the REPLY button below.
Preference will be given to applications received by January 10th 2025.
Possible starting dates: February – June 2025.

Only suitable applicants that match the abovementioned criteria and adhere to the application procedure will be answered.

Further information
Dr Roey Angel (roey.angel@bc.cas.cz)
Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry
Biology Centre CAS
CZECHIA

Supervision team: Dr Roey Angel