Looking for candidates to the FPU fellowship: - DIVAS: Temporal trends of planktonic viruses in an oligotrophic coastal system

Research Project - DIVAS: Temporal trends of planktonic viruses in an oligotrophic coastal system

Reference: PID2019-108457RB-I00, MICINN

PhD Supervisors: Ramon Massana ramonm@icm.csic.es & Dolors Vaqué

Centre: Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC)

Project description

DIVAS is a project that searches for specific viral-host interactions to evaluate the prevalence and impact of viral infection on natural protist populations. To identify these interactions, a huge genomic resource based on sorting single cells of marine protists is being generated. The offered PhD project will fully exploit this unique genome dataset of uncultured protist species. These genomes will be analysed in the search of functional genes (for sexual reproduction, motility, phagocytosis) and for interpreting environmental omics datasets. A strong focus will be on heterotrophic flagellates, which represent the ancient eukaryotic state, are important grazers of bacteria and viruses, but are still poorly represented in genomic datasets. This PhD will use a complementary set of tools, ranging from marine sampling, molecular techniques, genetics, and bioinformatics.

Requirements of the candidate

• Degree in Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Ocean Sciences or similar.

• Be enrolled in a doctorate program for the course 2020/2021 (this can be formalized later).

• Very good academic record (university degree >8.0)

• High English level. Good writing abilities. Motivation to learn and to work in a team.

Hosting research team

The candidate will join the Ecology of Marine Microbes research group (emm.icm.csic.es) that has more than 30 members including staff scientists, postdocs, PhD students and lab technicians. The EMM group is currently involved in research projects on diverse topics and maintains close contact with national and international researchers in the fields of microbial ecology, oceanography, biogeochemistry and genomics. The group maintains a firm commitment in training its students to ensure maximum learning benefit, including participation in courses and conferences, stays in other laboratories, and other training strategies.

How to apply

• At the first step, the applicant will be evaluated based on the university degree. If appropriate, selected candidates could be invited for an interview. The period of application is from 22nd November to 17th December 2020
• At the second step, selected applicants, together with the PhD project, will evaluated for a final selection.