Graduate School of Technical Sciences PhD Fellowship

Aarhus University’s Graduate School of Technical Sciences invites applications for a PhD fellowship in the Quantitative Genetics and Genomics programme, focusing on plant computational biology. The position is available from 1 September 2026 or later, and is based at C.F. Møllers Allé 3, Bldg. 1130, 8000 Aarhus C., Denmark.

This PhD project investigates the evolutionary innovation in plants driven by gene duplication, a process crucial for the emergence of traits relevant to crop domestication and improvement, such as flower morphology and stress responses. The research aims to understand how duplicated genes diverge or retain functions, and how these mechanisms contribute to the evolution of agronomically important traits in domesticated plants.

By integrating comparative genomics, evolutionary analyses, and computational approaches across multiple crop species, the project will identify candidate genes relevant for crop research and future breeding strategies. The outcomes will provide new insights into the evolutionary mechanisms shaping plant genomes, with potential applications in crop improvement and agricultural biotechnology.

Applicants must hold a relevant Master’s degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field. Essential skills include programming in Python or R, proficiency in English communication, and an interest in plant genomics, evolutionary biology, or comparative genomics. Familiarity with machine learning or deep learning methods is advantageous.

The fellowship offers salary and terms of employment in accordance with applicable collective agreements, covering tuition and stipend. Aarhus University is committed to equality and diversity, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. The application deadline is 31 May 2026, and only documents received before the deadline will be considered. Shortlisting will be used, and the evaluation committee may request further information or invite candidates to interviews.

To apply, submit your application via the provided link and upload the project description as a PDF. For further information, consult the application guide or contact the programme committee if needed.