PhD in Agricultural Sciences at Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (Slovakia)

Key details

• Host institution: Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
• Location: Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, Nitra, Slovakia
• Application deadline: May 31, 2026

Funding

Not funded by a EU programme

Funding level (from listing): partial or not via EU framework — confirm on the official call.

How to apply

• Apply by email to [email protected] (subject line and attachments per the official instructions).
• Full vacancy text and updates: Euraxess listing.

About the position

PhD Position: Molecular Variability and Transcription Dynamics of Plant Genes Under Stress

Full-time study position at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra.

Supervisor

prof. Ing. PaedDr. Jana Žiarovská, PhD.

Department

Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences.

Study Programme

Special Crop Production

Language

Slovak / English

Thesis Description

Different types of environmental stresses have become a serious problem for biological systems, including plants. When present in non-physiological doses, they become toxic, disrupting standard processes during plant growth and interfering with crop productivity. To improve the ability of species to grow under adverse conditions, it is important to accurately describe and increase knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the negative impact of stress exposure on plants. Defense protein genes comprise a broad group of different classes that are individually and synergistically engaged during plant development in response to both biotic and abiotic stresses.

Scientific Aim

To analyze the changes and conditioning of gene expression of different defense protein genes induced by biotic stress from plant bacterial pathogens on model plants, in the context of molecular-genomic response in relation to selected physiological and environmental aspects, as well as ways of implementing biotic stress protection practices.

Methodological Background

Marker-based genotyping, PCR and real-time PCR analyses, -omics approaches, and plant tissue cultures.

Expected Outcomes

The results obtained during the PhD will provide original insights into the molecular response of plants in the regulation of defense protein expression.

Requirements for the Applicant

• Education: University degree in science or agriculture in basic and applied fields.
• Experience: Completion of a thesis (bachelor’s, engineering, master’s) in biology, biotechnology, genetics, or molecular biology.
• Special Skills: High interest in scientific activity, ability to assimilate large amounts of new information and to synthesize it.