Job title:
Graduate position: PhD in Insect Structural Colors
Responsibilities:
The PhD project will focus on the structural colors of insect wing scales, integrating mechanistic, developmental, and evolutionary investigations. Specifically, the candidate will:
- Use materi-omic approaches to create a spatio-temporally resolved map of structure-function relationships of biopolymers and membranes, analyzing the formation of butterfly wing scale nanostructures.
- Test the functions of key structural motifs and their associated genes using CRISPR techniques.
This research has applications in biomimetics and sustainable manufacturing.
Requirements:
- Master's degree in biology or an equivalent field (to be obtained by August 2025).
- Background in molecular biology, evo-devo, organismal biology, or a related area.
- Curiosity, creativity, motivation, and the ability to work independently.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (English and French; language courses available for international candidates).
- Experience in insect rearing and proficiency in programming are advantageous but not required.
Location:
Research Institute for Insect Biology (IRBI, UMR 7261, CNRS / University of Tours), France. Tours is a modern city in the UNESCO World Heritage Loire Valley, with excellent transport links (1 hour to Paris).
How to apply:
Applications must be submitted via ADUM by 11 April 2025:
🔗 Application link
Required documents:
- CV including names and contact details of 2-3 referees.
- Cover/motivation letter.
- Transcripts (Bachelor’s and Master’s or equivalent).
Online interviews will take place during the week of 14 April 2025. Shortlisted candidates will have final interviews on 21 May 2025 (on-site or online by request).
Contact details:
For informal inquiries, contact Vinod Kumar Saranathan at SARANATHAN@univ-tours.fr
