Title: Doctoral Candidate – Spoiling Flora-Structure, Diversity and Dynamics of Microbial Communities During Spoilage
Program: International PhD Program, SpoilControl Project under Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Networks
Host Institution: GMGM – Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique, Microbiologie / University of Strasbourg, France
🎓 PhD Scholarship Opportunity – Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA): SpoilControl Project (DC14)
📝 Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | Doctoral Candidate (DC14) |
| Program | Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, Horizon Europe |
| Project | SpoilControl |
| Research Area | Microbiology, Genomics, Bioinformatics |
| Location | University of Strasbourg, France |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree + MSCA mobility rule compliance |
| Duration | 36 months (Doctoral contract) |
| Deadline to Apply | May 31, 2025 (may be extended until filled) |
| Contact Email | spoil.control@u-bordeaux.fr |
🎯 Designation
Doctoral Candidate (DC14) – Focused on microbial spoilage in fermented beverages.
🔬 Research Area
- Microbial ecology
- Metagenomics
- Bioinformatics
- Fermentation microbiology
- Sustainable fermentation technologies
📍 Location
GMGM – University of Strasbourg, France
Short-term placements in Spain (Barcelona Supercomputing Center) and other French Institutes (IFV, IFBM, IFPC)
✅ Eligibility/Qualification
- Master’s degree or equivalent in Microbiology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, or related fields.
- Compliance with MSCA mobility rule: Not residing or carrying out main activity in France for more than 12 months in the last 36 months.
- English proficiency (certification required for non-native speakers).
🧪 Job Description
The PhD candidate will work on the characterization of spoiling microflora in fermented beverages to identify early contamination and mitigate quality degradation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop metagenomic approaches for microbial community analysis.
- Analyze spoiled vs. regular fermented beverages (wine, beer, kefir, kombucha, etc.).
- Identify microbial spoilage markers and abiotic/biotic factors influencing spoilage.
- Build open-source tools for early contamination detection.
- Collaborate across SpoilControl Work Packages and secondment institutions.
Planned Collaborations:
- WP1, WP2: Joint work with other PhDs and institutes (BSC, IFV, IFBM, IFPC).
- Secondments: 6-month stay at BSC (Spain) + short fieldwork stays at beverage institutes in France.
Supervision:
- Joseph Schacherer (GMGM) – Main Supervisor
- Toni Gabaldon (BSC) – Co-Supervisor
- Angélique Matéo (IFV) – Co-Supervisor
Monitoring:
- Monthly meetings, biannual Career Development Reviews, progress reporting, external evaluation.
📤 How to Apply
Send the following documents to spoil.control@u-bordeaux.fr by May 31, 2025:
- CV (1–2 pages) – Format:
Name.Lastname_CV - Personal Statement (1 page) – Format:
Name.Lastname_PS - Two Reference Letters (1 page each) – Format:
Name.Lastname_RL - Academic Diplomas & Transcripts – Format:
Name.Lastname_Grades - Proof of English Language Proficiency – Format:
Name.Lastname_Lang
Applicants may submit up to three ranked project preferences from the SpoilControl PhD openings.
🗓️ Last Date to Apply
May 31, 2025 (Late submissions may be considered until the position is filled.)
⚖️ Selection Process & Evaluation Criteria
- Application Review (Max 60 Points)
- Experience: 30
- Leadership Potential: 20
- Career Development: 10
- Interview Stage (Max 100 Points)
- Presentation: 20
- Research Ability: 40
- Leadership Potential: 40
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed online by a panel including academic and non-academic members.
Final results will be communicated via email.
For more information, please contact:
📧 Camila Martinez, SpoilControl Project Manager
📩 spoil.control@u-bordeaux.fr
Let me know if you’d like a graphic flyer or social media post version of this!
