Summary
The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and the Biosciences Institute at Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP, Rio Claro Campus) are offering a Doctorate (PhD) Fellowship under the project “Exploring microbiomes associated with ant gardens for the discovery of new antifungals” (Process FAPESP 2024/19418-0). The selected candidate will conduct experimental assays with Atta sexdens fungal garden colonies, perform bioinformatic analyses (metagenomics and metatranscriptomics), and investigate gene clusters associated with antifungal production in response to pathogens.
Designation
- Doctorate Fellow (PhD Fellow) / Bolsa de Doutorado
Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Opportunity ID | 9714 |
| FAPESP Process Number | 2024/19418-0 |
| Designation | Doctorate Fellow (PhD Candidate) |
| Number of Vacancies | 01 |
| Fellowship Stipend | R$ 5,790.00 / month |
| Host Institution | Instituto de Biociências – UNESP, Campus de Rio Claro |
| Principal Investigator | Renato Augusto Corrêa dos Santos |
| Start Date | November 2026 |
| Application Deadline | September 15, 2026 |
Research Area
- Field of Knowledge: General Biology (Biologia Geral)
- Specialization / Working Area: Omics of ant garden–microbiome interaction (Ômicas de interação jardim de formiga-microbioma)
Location
- City: Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
- Institution: Biosciences Institute (Instituto de Biociências), UNESP – Rio Claro Campus
Eligibility & Qualifications
Mandatory Requirements:
- Master’s degree in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or a closely related biological sciences field.
- Documented research laboratory experience in microbiology and/or molecular biology.
- Strong reading and comprehension skills in scientific English.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Prior experience with bioinformatics workflows (amplicon sequencing, metagenomics, or metatranscriptomics).
- Previous participation in research projects involving microbiota and multi-omics analyses.
- Computer programming or scripting skills (e.g., Python, R, Bash).
- Experience with science communication and education outreach.
Scholarship Description
The PhD researcher will join a project focused on the transcriptional modulation and secondary metabolism of microbial communities in leaf-cutting ant nests (Atta sexdens).
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and maintain laboratory experiments using fungal garden colonies of Atta sexdens in both challenged (pathogen-exposed) and control states.
- Carry out end-to-end bioinformatic workflows, including amplicon processing, metagenomic assembly/binning, and metatranscriptomic profiling.
- Identify and characterize biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and functional genes implicated in the production of novel antifungal compounds.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit their application via email directly to the Principal Investigator:
- Recipient Email:
renatoacsantos@gmail.com - Email Subject:
Doutorado Ômicas Jardins de Fungos - Required Application Documents (PDF format):
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (preferably Lattes CV for Brazilian applicants or standard academic CV for international applicants).
- One-page Cover Letter / Statement of Intent detailing research background and motivation.
- Official Academic Transcripts (undergraduate and master’s records).
Last Date to Apply
- September 15, 2026
