PhD opportunity in plant genomics and machine learning at Aarhus University

Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Quantitative Genetics and Genomics programme. The position is available from 1 October 2026 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.

Title:
PhD candidate in comparative genomics and machine learning for plant biology

Research area and project description:
Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Quantitative Genetics and Genomics programme. The position is available from 01 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.

Understanding when genes are functionally redundant or influence multiple traits (pleiotropy) is important for accelerating modern plant breeding. This project aims to develop computational tools, including deep learning and AI, to prioritise candidate genes by integrating evolutionary and functional information.

The selected candidate will work on three main objectives:
1. Develop an algorithm that integrates evolution and functional information using comparative genomics and deep learning approaches.
2. Apply this framework across the plant kingdom to identify conserved patterns of gene redundancy and pleiotropy.
3. Identify genes associated with key agronomic traits, such as flowering time and root architecture.
This project will provide the PhD student with the opportunity to develop skills in comparative genomics, phylogenomics, and deep learning, while contributing to computational approaches that support crop improvement.

• Project description. For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. Please simply copy the project description above, and upload it as a PDF in the application.
  

Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants to the position must hold a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field, and:

- Knowledge in programming in Python or R
- Familiarity with machine learning or deep learning methods is a plus
- Interest in plant genomics, evolutionary biology, or comparative genomics
- Proficient in written and spoken English communication skills

Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is C.F. Møllers Allé 3, Bldg. 1130, 8000 Aarhus C., Denmark.

Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information regarding the PhD position are invited to contact:

• Professor Torben Ask, torben.asp@qgg.au.dk (main supervisor)
• Assistant Professor Irene Julca, irene.julca@qgg.au.dk (co-supervisor)
  

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide. If answers cannot be found there, please contact:

• admission.gradschool.tech@au.dk
  

How to apply:
Please follow this link to submit your application.

Application deadline is 31 May 2026 23:59 CEST.

Preferred starting date is 1 October 2026.

Please note:

• Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after deadline will not be taken into account.
• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
• Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.
  

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.

 

INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:

- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:

Aarhus Kommune

-Virksomheden tilbyder:

-Arbejdsgiver:

Aarhus Universitet, Nordre Ringgade, 8000 Aarhus C

-Ansøgning:

Ansøgningsfrist: 31-05-2026;

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