PhD scholarship in Evolutionary Microbiology

Prof. Damjan Franjević advertises a PhD position in his group at University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology.
This PhD position is a part of the Biosensors Using Graphene for Infection Diagnostics consortium (BUG-ID) under Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Training Network (DN), funded by the European Commission.
BUG-ID is consortium that has a mission to improve infection diagnostics. 
All BUG-ID PhD students will be trained in an interdisciplinary and international environment and experience a collaboration among academia, healthcare and the private sector.

Responsibilities and tasks 
The candidate hired for this position will work on identifying and revealing the evolution of pathogenicity in bacteria. The goal of the project is to identify genes that determine pathogenicity in certain types of bacteria, as well as to determine the evolutionary pressures in which pathogenicity appeared. The candidate should be able to design, annotate and analyze large data sets. Knowledge of classical (micro)biology and modern bioinformatics methods, annotation and analysis of large data sets, experience in R and Python is required. The student will be engaged in active collaboration with other groups in the consortium. We are looking for candidates who are curious and independent scientists, but also team players responsible for their duties.

The specific tasks will include:

• Studying the available literature in the field and formulating own scientific hypotheses 
• Conducting scientific experiments and analyzing data
• Writing peer reviewed scientific publications
• Actively interacting and collaborating with other partners in the consortium
• Participating in consortium outreach activities 
• Completing courses and training required for being awarded the PhD degree

Qualifications
Candidates should have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.
Applicants are required to undertake transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up their appointment.
At the time of recruitment, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Croatia for more than 12 months in the last 3 years immediately prior to the date of appointment.

Fluency in written and spoken English is a requirement.

A master’s degree project carried out in an evolutionary and/or bioinformatics laboratory/department will be considered as an advantage.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in PhD degree programme of Biology at Faculty of Science, University of Science.
For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the Doctoral programme - Department of biology. 

Assessment
Submitted applications will be reviewed by the members of the Franjević lab. Top applicants will be invited to an online interview (target date early February 2026), where among other items, fluency in English will be assessed.

What we offer
The University of Zagreb (founded in 1669) is the oldest and biggest university in South-Eastern Europe.  The University excels not only in teaching, but also in research, contributing with over 50 percent to the annual research output in Croatia.
Faculty of Science at University of Zagreb is a leading faculty in research, education, innovation and scientific advice in the area of natural sciences in Croatia. 
Franjević lab offers a rewarding and challenging job in small, close-knit environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on a contract with the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology. 

The hired PhD student will receive an attractive salary from 3000 – 3500 euros per month in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Doctoral Candidates (http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/). The salary includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance and a family allowance according to his/her family status. 
The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months.

Further information 
Further information can be obtained from Prof. Damjan Franjević via email: damianf@biol.pmf.hr

Application
Please submit your application no later than 12th of January 2026 midnight CET 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file in English containing all materials to be given consideration. 
To apply, please send an email on damjan.franjevic@biol.pmf.hr with application file attached.

Application pdf file in English must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter). 

This cover letter should include a concise description of your motivation for getting a PhD degree

• why do you want it
• what do you expect from your PhD project in terms of scientific and education goals and your own career development
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Translation of grades if necessary to the Croatian grading system (Croatia Grade Scale) 
• Any additional useful and valid information for hiring

Candidates may apply prior to ob¬tai¬ning their Master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
Foreseen start of work in September 2026.