Summary
The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) invites applications for a PhD position focusing on the analysis of ancient DNA virus genomes to explore viral dynamics and evolution. This position is a part of the ERC-StG EpidemioCene project aimed at understanding the impact of historical human migrations and socio-environmental changes on past viral outbreaks.
PhD Position in Ancient Pathogen Genomics, Toulouse, France, with collaborations at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany
Designation
PhD Researcher
Research Area
- Ancient DNA
- Epidemiology
- Phylogenomics
- Viral Evolution
Location
Toulouse, France, with collaborations at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Leipzig, Germany) and the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Research (Wildau, Germany).
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Contract | PhD Position |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Remuneration | €2,300 gross monthly |
| Start Date | 01/10/2026 |
| Application Deadline | 30/04/2026 |
Eligibility/Qualification
- Master’s degree/Engineering degree in evolutionary biology, epidemiology, or a related field.
- Some experience in bioinformatics is expected.
- Interest in molecular epidemiology and viral evolution is essential.
- Experience in computational phylogenetics is advantageous.
- Proficient English skills; French language skills are not required.
Description
The successful candidate will join the Host-Pathogen Interaction Research Unit (IHAP) at INRAE. Responsibilities will include:
- Assembling and analyzing large sets of ancient viral genomes.
- Conducting bioinformatic reconstruction of ancient viral sequences.
- Performing phylogenetic analyses to evaluate the evolutionary history of viruses.
- Estimating past migration and epidemiological patterns.
- Publishing research findings in scientific journals and presenting at international conferences.
Supervision will be provided by experts in the field, including Dr. Arthur Kocher from IHAP and collaborators from top international research institutions.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send a single PDF document containing the following:
- Cover letter (max 2 pages)
- CV
- Proof of the last degree
- Up to two reference letters with contact information
Applications should be sent to: arthur.kocher@eva-mpg.de
Last Date to Apply
30th April 2026
