Genome duplication is the subject of a fully funded PhD in experimental evolution at VIB, based at the UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology in Ghent, Belgium. The position runs four years. Applications get read as they arrive and the advertised closing date is 3 September 2026, so early is better than complete.
Summary details: PhD in experimental evolution at VIB Ghent
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | PhD Student, Experimental Evolution and Bioinformatics |
| Field | Genome duplication, polyploidy, algal genomics |
| Institution | VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium |
| Funding | Fully funded through Ghent University; no salary figure given |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Application Deadline | 3 September 2026, reviewed on a rolling basis until filled |
| Degree required | Master’s in biology, biotechnology, bioengineering, microbiology, bioinformatics, or a related field |
About the position
The question behind this PhD in experimental evolution at VIB is what genome duplication actually does to an organism over time. The model is volvocine algae, and mostly Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, grown through long-term laboratory evolution so that genome dynamics and environmental conditions can be watched interacting rather than inferred. Sequencing and bioinformatics then turn those cultures into readable data on mutation, adaptation, and genome evolution. The work sits between two groups: Yves Van de Peer’s Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Genomics lab, and Olivier De Clerck’s Phycology Research Group at UGent, with links to the Polydiv2 and PI3 polyploidy networks. The advert is unusually frank that the early years are wet-lab heavy and labour-intensive, while analysis, integration, and writing take over later.
Research areas and focus
| Area | Focus |
|---|---|
| Evolutionary genomics | What genome duplication means for the evolutionary success of polyploids |
| Experimental evolution | Long-running lab experiments, strain maintenance, culturing, phenotyping |
| Algal biology | Volvocine algae, with Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as the main system |
| Genomics | Generating sequencing data and making sense of it |
| Bioinformatics and statistics | Mutation processes, adaptation patterns, genome evolution |
What you will do
- Set up and maintain long-term evolution experiments, including culturing, strain upkeep, and phenotyping
- Generate sequencing data, then interpret it
- Analyse genome evolution, mutation, and adaptation with bioinformatics and statistics
- Shift over the four years from mostly bench work toward data integration and writing
- Work alongside supervisors, technicians, postdocs, and other students in two collaborating groups
Who can apply
Essential:
- A Master’s in bioinformatics, biology, bioengineering, biotechnology, microbiology, or something adjacent
- Grounding in evolution, genomics, or algal biology
- Genuine willingness to do both bench work and computational analysis
- Some statistics or programming, in R, Python, or similar
- Fluent spoken and written English
- Ability to work solo and in a team
Nice to have, but the advert does not require it:
- Microbial or algal culturing, or previous experimental evolution work
- Next-generation sequencing analysis and bioinformatics pipelines
- Evolutionary theory or ecology background
- Statistical modelling and data handling
- Evidence you can see a long experiment through
One thing to weigh honestly before applying: the advert flags twice that the experiments are labour-intensive and demand planning and perseverance. If long-term culturing work is not something you want years of, this is not the project to talk yourself into.
What is offered
- Fully funded four-year PhD registered at Ghent University
- Enrolment in the UGent Doctoral Schools, with structured and transferable skills training
- Money for international conferences and specialised courses
- Training programmes, seminars, and career development through VIB and UGent
- Close supervision, plus scope to collaborate across both host groups
How to apply
- Put together a motivation letter, a detailed CV, and contact details for two or three referees.
- Apply through the VIB online career portal.
- Do not email your application, because only portal submissions get reviewed.
- If you want to ask about the project first, the advert gives Quinten Bafort, Quinten.Bafort@UGent.be, as the contact.
Deadline: 3 September 2026. Applications are reviewed as they come in and the post closes once it is filled, so apply early.
Related opportunities
Worth applying even if your computational side isn’t that strong. The advert asks only for basic stats or scripting and explicitly wants someone willing to learn across disciplines, which is a lower bar than most bioinformatics-tagged PhDs set yet it’s a good for balancing.
Source: VIB Careers