Fully Funded PhD in evolution and functional diversity of rubisco in extremophile photosynthetic organisms, Spain
📚 About University of the Balearic Islands
A fully funded PhD scholarship is available to investigate evolution and functional diversity of rubisco in extremophile photosynthetic organisms in Spain is now available at Chalmers University of Technology. The Plant Ecophysiology Research Group at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), based at the Institute for Agro-Environmental and Water Economy Research (INAGEA), invites applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position to start during 2026, under the supervision of Prof. Jeroni Galmés.
🎯 Scholarship Overview
📝 About the research project
Rubisco is the key enzyme responsible for biological CO₂ fixation, yet its functional diversity remains poorly explored across organisms inhabiting extreme environments. This project aims to investigate how environmental pressures have driven the diversification of Rubisco kinetic properties across evolutionary lineages, integrating physiological, biochemical, and evolutionary approaches. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to advancing the comparative and integrative component of the project, linking Rubisco diversity with environmental adaptation.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- The PhD candidate will contribute to:
- characterization of photosynthetic performance in extremophile organisms
- experimental analysis of Rubisco kinetic properties
- comparative analysis of Rubisco sequence diversity
- phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis of Rubisco variants
- integration of physiological and evolutionary datasets
- The candidate will receive training in experimental physiology, enzymology, and
comparative evolutionary analysis.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should have:
- Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Plant Sciences,
Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology, or related fields - strong interest in photosynthesis, enzyme evolution, and ecophysiology
- good analytical skills and motivation for research
- proficiency in English
Previous experience in enzymology, physiology, evolutionary biology, or
bioinformatics is an advantage but not required.
📝 Application procedure
Applicants should send the following documents:
• motivation letter
• curriculum vitae (including publications)
• academic transcripts (Bachelor and Master)
Applications and informal enquiries should be sent to:
Jeroni Galmés
University of the Balearic Islands
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