Summary
Applications are invited for a fully funded 36-month PhD position focused on understanding how major wheat fungal pathogens adapt to climate change. The project will investigate the adaptive responses of Zymoseptoria tritici and Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici to humidity and temperature, combining experimental phytopathology, epidemiology, genomics, and statistical analyses. The research will be jointly conducted by INRAE (France) and the Julius Kühn Institute (Germany), offering a unique international research environment.
PhD Scholarship in Phytopathology & Plant Disease Epidemiology (INRAE–JKI Joint Program) Germany
Designation
PhD Researcher (PhD Candidate)
Scholarship Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Program | PhD in Phytopathology / Plant Disease Epidemiology |
| Research Topic | Wheat Pathogen Adaptation to Climate Factors |
| Duration | 36 Months |
| Start Date | Autumn 2026 |
| Host Institutions | INRAE (France) & Julius Kühn Institute (Germany) |
| Primary Location | Palaiseau, France |
| International Research Stay | Kleinmachnow, Germany |
| Monthly Salary/Stipend | €2,300 Gross per Month (Approx. €1,850 Net) |
| PhD Awarding Institution | ABIES Doctoral School (AgroParisTech / Université Paris-Saclay) |
| Supervisors | Frédéric Suffert, Thierry Marcel, Philipp Schulz, Bettina Klocke |
Research Area
- Phytopathology
- Plant Disease Epidemiology
- Wheat Pathology
- Microbial Ecology
- Fungal Biology
- Genomics
- Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS)
- Climate Change and Plant Health
- Comparative Epidemiology
- Agricultural Sciences
Location
Primary Research Site: INRAE BIOGER, Campus Agro Paris-Saclay, Palaiseau, France (15 km south of Paris)
International Research Stays: Julius Kühn Institute, Kleinmachnow, Germany (10 km south of Berlin)
Eligibility / Qualification
Applicants should possess:
- A Master’s degree in Plant Pathology, Biology, Agriculture, Genetics, Microbiology, Genomics, Plant Sciences, or a related discipline.
- Experience in experimental studies involving plant–pathogen interactions.
- Skills in phenotypic and/or genomic data analysis.
- Knowledge of phytopathology, epidemiology, microbial ecology, or genomics.
- Strong analytical and statistical abilities.
- Ability to work independently and within interdisciplinary international teams.
- Excellent communication skills in a multilingual research environment.
Desirable Qualifications
- Comparative epidemiology expertise.
- Fungal microbiology experience.
- Genetics and bioinformatics knowledge.
- Experience with GWAS or genomic analyses.
Important Eligibility Condition
Due to administrative requirements, only applicants currently residing within the European Union (EU) will be considered.
Job Description
The PhD candidate will investigate the adaptive potential of two important wheat pathogens under changing climatic conditions.
Research Objectives
1. Adaptation to Climatic Factors
- Characterize pathogen adaptation to humidity and temperature.
- Study phenotypic plasticity and population-level variation.
- Conduct in vitro and controlled-environment phenotyping experiments.
- Analyze sporulating leaf area and spore germination responses.
2. Trade-Offs in Life-History Traits
- Evaluate aggressiveness-related phenotypic traits.
- Compare adaptation patterns under varying climatic conditions.
- Identify potential trade-offs influencing pathogen evolution and epidemiology.
3. Genomic Basis of Adaptation
- Investigate genetic determinants of humidity adaptation in Zymoseptoria tritici.
- Utilize whole-genome sequencing datasets.
- Conduct Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) to identify adaptive genomic regions.
Benefits
- Fully funded 36-month PhD position.
- Gross monthly salary of €2,300.
- Approximate net salary of €1,850/month.
- Public health coverage.
- Contribution toward public transportation costs.
- International research experience in France and Germany.
- Access to world-class facilities and experts in plant pathology, epidemiology, and genomics.
- PhD degree from the prestigious ABIES Doctoral School of AgroParisTech / Université Paris-Saclay.
How to Apply
Submit the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Tailored Cover Letter
- Master’s Degree Transcripts
- Contact Details of Two Academic Referees
Send applications with the subject line:
“PhD INRAE–JKI”
Application emails should be sent to:
- frederic.suffert@inrae.fr
- thierry.marcel@inrae.fr
- Philipp.Schulz@julius-kuehn.de
- Bettina.Klocke@julius-kuehn.de
Last Date to Apply
Priority Review Deadline: 26 June 2026
Applications received after this date will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.
