PhD position to study the effects of gut microbiome on seasonal responses

Institute of Entomology

Employment contract

A call for one MSCA-funded PhD position to study the effects of gut microbiome on seasonal responses and insect development is open!

This PhD position is part of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Training Network (MSCA-DN) project INCITE (INsect Clock Initial Training Experience).

Our network researches insect chronobiology with the aim of developing applications in insect production for feed and food, pest control, as well as basic research. We investigate the circadian and annual clocks, diapause, seasonality, sleep, endocrinology, circadian physiology and chronometabolism using combinations of established insect model species (i.e. Drosophila melanogaster) and emerging models, pest species, and economically important or beneficial insect (aphids, linden bugs, bumble bees, moths and butterflies, black soldier fly, houseflies, cockroaches).

INCITE will provide advanced multidisciplinary multi-level scientific training that spans from molecular genetics tools, genetic engineering, genomics and transcriptomics, immunocytochemistry and electrophysiology to behavioural assays to foster the next generation of European experts in an ambitious and multidisciplinary research environment in chronobiology and entomology.

Further information about the INCITE project can be found at: https://incite.entu.cas.cz/

Details about the offered PhD position:

DC12: Unravelling the Influence of the Gut Microbiome on Insect Seasonal and Developmental Timing (details here)

• Location: The University of Haifa, Israel
• Supervisors: Prof. Eran Tauber 

The University of Haifa is the largest research university in northern Israel with world-renown reputation in many different fields. Notably, its research in natural sciences has garnered international recognition, further solidifying its standing as a leading academic institution. Located in the mountains at the top of Mount Carmel the university is overseeing the city with the sight of the Mediterranean Sea at the horizon. The institution prides itself on its multicultural environment, in which it nurtures the minds of future generations through the efforts of academic experts in a multitude of fields. It is further noteworthy that the institution has established numerous global collaborations, further cementing its international standing and commitment to academic excellence on a global scale.

• Successful candidates will be part of an international and interdisciplinary network with regular meetings and a strong cohort-effect of fellow PhD students
• Internships/secondments in other INCITE member labs are an integral part of the programme
• Intense training in chronobiology and related disciplines by leading experts in the field
• Competitive salary from the lucrative EU grant 

The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all doctoral candidates will benefit from accompanying education and career development measures, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences.

Recruitment Calendar:

• Application deadline for this additional call: June 22, 2025
• Interviews: May-June
• Start date of the fellowship: August-September 2025

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/).

Candidates should submit the following documents as one single PDF file via the REPLY button below:

• A detailed CV (maximum 3xA4 pages)
• A motivation letter
• Two letters of reference
• English transcripts of bachelor’s and, if applicable, master’s degrees
• Confirmation of eligibility – candidate cannot have resided or worked for more than 12 months of residence in Israel in the last 3 years
• If candidates have a certificate of English language proficiency, or confirmation of study in English, it can be added to the application. Nevertheless, it is not mandatory.

Any questions? Feel free to reach us at incite@entu.cas.cz.
(Use this contact ONLY for additional questions, NOT for sending applications. Please apply through the webform via the REPLY button, thank you.)