The Archaeogenetics department at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena, Germany, is offering up to 10 PhD positions beginning October 2015. The overarching research topic at the institute is the use of novel scientific approaches from high throughput sequencing of ancient DNA from human populations and their pathogens to explore research questions related to human history, gene-culture coevolution, and adaptation to infectious disease. The main foci are the relationship between humans and pathogens through time, population migrations and dynamics on a historical time-scale, and microbial evolution.

The institute hosts a multi-disciplinary research team and is looking for students from a variety of backgrounds including, but not restricted to, molecular biology, bioinformatics, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, physics, computer science, anthropology and archaeology. Students holding a Master’s degree (or equivalent) with a proven record of success in their discipline and a genuine interest in examining questions related to human history are encouraged to apply.

Students will also have the option of joining the EVEREST research school program at the University in Tuebingen, or a research school at our Institute that is scheduled for 2016. Doctoral candidates enrol in a 3-year fully-funded and structured program that provides excellent research conditions. Graduate courses and all other degree requirements require proficiency in English only.

Research Fields
Biological sciences
Mathematics
Computer science
Chemistry

Further details:
http://ec.europa.eu