How do archaeal genomes evolve? Join this PhD project to explore genome architecture across Archaea using comparative genomics and evolutionary bioinformatics.
Archaea represent one of the most diverse and least understood domains of life, yet they occupy a pivotal position in the evolutionary history of cellular organization. Their genomes vary enormously in size, structure, gene organization, and evolutionary dynamics, raising fundamental questions about how genome architecture evolves across deep evolutionary time. As PhD candidate you will investigate the evolution of genome architecture across the full diversity of Archaea. You will use large-scale comparative and evolutionary genomics to uncover general principles governing genome evolution, including features that may have shaped the emergence of eukaryotic genome organization.
This fully funded PhD position offers the opportunity to work on an ambitious computational project at the interface of evolutionary biology, genome biology, and bioinformatics. You will analyze large genomic datasets using state-of-the-art computational approaches, develop evolutionary models, and contribute to a rapidly advancing field with broad relevance for understanding the history of life.
Pursuing a PhD in this area offers you the opportunity to gain a deep understanding on genome biology and the full scope of biological diversity. You will learn to handle large-scale genomic datasets and become an expert on state-of-the-art bioinformatics methods to analyse them, including command-line work, programming, and data visualisation. Additionally, this position will equip you with important academic skills such as teaching, effective scientific communication (written and oral), and building collaboration networks. We want to help you learn to navigate through academic life in a way that does justice to your career ambitions and maintains a healthy work-life balance.
We are looking for an enthusiastic new colleague with:
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A completed, or almost completed, Master's degree in biology, bioinformatics, or related discipline.
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A strong interest in microbial evolution, genome biology and bioinformatics.
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Experience in command-line work, programming (e.g. bash, R, python), genomics (e.g. homology detection, genome annotation), or evolutionary analyses (e.g. phylogenetics/omics).
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A positive, team-oriented mindset.
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Eagerness to work in an international, collaborative, and intellectually stimulating research environment.
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Strong communication skills in English, both spoken and written.
Please note: it has been shown that women and applicants from minority backgrounds tend to underapply for positions if they don’t feel they meet all the listed criteria. If this is how you feel, please be encouraged to apply anyway, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
You will be embedded in a team of world-class scientists where English is the main working language, in a nurturing and inclusive environment that aims to ensure everyone feels comfortable being their authentic selves. We are strongly committed to maintaining a healthy work-life balance and supporting academic development. You will receive academic training within the Graduate School of Life Sciences. In addition, we offer:
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a position for 18 months, with an extension to a total of four years upon a positive assessment in the first 18 months;
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a gross monthly salary starting at € 3,059 in the first year and increasing annually up to €3,881 in the fourth year, based on full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
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8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
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a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.
In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.
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Working at the Faculty of Science means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn and discover how you can become part of our community.
The research will be performed in the Archaeal and Bacterial Evolution team headed by Dr. Daniel Tamarit. This team specialises in the analysis of bacterial and archaeal genomes to study fundamental processes in evolution. Current major lines in this group involve investigating major transitions in evolution such as the origin of eukaryotes and the diversification of other microbial lineages, the exploration of genome architecture in bacteria and archaea, and the development of related bioinformatic tools.
The team is embedded in the Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics group (department of Biology), which uses computational biology, bioinformatics, modelling, and big data to address both fundamental and applied questions in the life sciences. A selection of ongoing research lines includes the evolution of genomes, protein complexes, systems genetics, metagenomics, host-microbe interactions, and the principles of ecology and evolution. Together with more than 35 research groups distributed over five research and educational institutes, we form the Utrecht Bioinformatics Centre that combines world-class bioinformatics research and coordinates bioinformatics education at all levels at the Utrecht Science Park.
For more information, please contact Dr. Daniel Tamarit at [email protected].
Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to [email protected].
As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.
Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.
If you are enthusiastic about this position, just apply via the "Apply now" button! Please enclose:
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a letter of motivation (1-2 pages) addressing:
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why this position is interesting to you. For example: what you hope to learn or achieve, how it aligns with your career goals, what aspects you find most exciting.
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how your current experience relates to this position. For example: what skills or knowledge you expect will be most helpful for this project.
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your Curriculum vitae;
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the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least two references.
If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.
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