We are looking for a motivated PhD candidate to join our research team and investigate the biological properties and adaptive potential of newly discovered plant viruses.
Title: Characterization of Newly Discovered Plant Viruses Using Synthetic Virology and Experimental Evolution
Research Programme: Biotechnology and Systems Biology of Plants
Supervisor: Dr. Tjaša Lukan
Co-supervisor: Dr. Denis Kutnjak
Field: Biotechnology
Research focus
The selected candidate will work on:
- Characterization of plant viruses and their evolutionary dynamics
- Synthetic virology approaches, including construction and modification of infectious viral clones
- Experimental evolution under different selection pressures
- Deep mutational scanning (DMS) to assess mutation effects
The work will involve modern molecular biology and computational approaches, including:
- High-throughput sequencing and bioinformatic analysis
- Quantitative and digital PCR
- Advanced molecular cloning techniques
- Laboratory infection experiments
The project is part of the SNEP-VIMS project and will be conducted in a well-equipped laboratory environment with opportunities for national and international collaboration. The PhD programme will be carried out at the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School.
Research enviroment
The candidate will join an interdisciplinary and well-established microbiology group within the Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology. Our team includes experts in biology, microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, plant protection, and related fields. We work on topics such as:
- Microbial biology, diversity, evolution, epidemiology, and diagnostics
- Development and validation of detection methods
- Environmental virology and viral ecology
We use state-of-the-art methods including:
- High-throughput sequencing
- Bioinformatics
- Quantitative and digital PCR
- Electron microscopy
What We Offer
- Work in modern laboratories within the NIB biotechnology hub
- Collaboration with leading academic institutions and industry partners in Slovenia and internationally
- Participation in international projects
- Development of transferable skills, including:
- Critical thinking
- Scientific communication
- Teamwork
- Project managemen
Candidate Profile
We are looking for a candidate who is:
- Curious, creative, and self-motivated
- Reliable, collaborative, and positively oriented
- Able to think critically
Requirements:
- Degree in biology, microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioinformatics, or a related field
- Good command of English (essential for international collaboration)
Preferred:
- Experience in molecular biology laboratory work
- Experience with bioinformatics or analysis of large datasets
Candidate Profile
We are looking for a candidate who is:
- Curious, creative, and self-motivated
- Reliable, collaborative, and positively oriented
- Able to think critically
Requirements:
- Degree in biology, microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioinformatics, or a related field
- Good command of English (essential for international collaboration)
Preferred:
- Experience in molecular biology laboratory work
- Experience with bioinformatics or analysis of large datasets
Contact
For more information, please contact:
- Dr. Tjaša Lukan — tjasa.lukan@nib.si
- Dr. Denis Kutnjak – denis.kutnjak@nib.si
More info at: NIB webpage
