The European Marie-Curie Doctoral Network ViroiDoc offers 2 fully funded PhD student positions at the Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection-Bari Unit (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, CNR) in Italy, in cooperation with the Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro (UNIBA-DiSSPA). Full details of the vacancies, the training programme and how to apply are available at https://www.viroidoc.eu/people#job-vacancies. The Doctoral Candidates (CDs) will work on the following individual research projects (IRPs):
DC7 in Italy: IRP Dissection of viroid pathogenesis through omics and phenotyping approaches.
DC8 in Italy: IRP Identification and characterization of novel infectious circular viroid-like RNAs in hosts belonging to different kingdoms.
For more information about the individual research projects in Italy (DC7 and DC8), see the List of IRPs https://www.viroidoc.eu/people#doctoral-candidates
The Call is open between 23 July and 5 September 2025.
Who is eligible to apply?
Positions will be available to candidates who hold a university degree (MSc or equivalent) in plant biology, genetics, cell biology, biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, chemistry, or a related discipline, completed no later than the start of the PhD project. The successful candidate should have a strong interest in conducting collaborative research in international and cross-sectoral contexts. Note the eligibility criteria related to MSCA mobility rules: The candidate has not resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the selected host laboratory for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.
What ViroiDoc offers?
- Collaborating in research labs in Italy.
- Research projects on viroids, the smallest plant pathogens, and viroid-like RNAs that have only recently been discovered outside the plant kingdom.
- Secondments to partner laboratories or companies involved in plant breeding and plant protection located in Slovenia and Spain.
- Opportunity to participate in the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA).
ViroiDoc – Advanced Research on Viroid Pathogenesis and Control for Agricultural Sustainability- project is funded by European Union within the Horizon Europe Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Network. ViroiDoc comprises academic institutions and industry partners from Slovenia, Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Poland, the United States, and Argentina. Collectively, these institutions offer exceptional interdisciplinary research and an innovative training environment for 10 doctoral students, equipping them with the expertise to advance their careers in research, product and service development in agriculture, biotech, biosensors, and biomedicine. ViroiDoc is committed to comprehensively understanding and addressing the challenges posed by viroids in alignment with the European Green Deal and the Farm-to-Fork strategy for sustainable crop production and food security.
Application deadline: 5 September 2025.
For further information on vacancies please visit https://www.viroidoc.eu or contact
Beatriz Navarro (CNR – IPSP)
Via Amendola 122/D, 70126 Bari
beatriz.navarro@cnr.it
