CRAG Spain PhD Student (Ref 52/2026) in Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain

Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) invites applications for a CRAG PhD student position (Ref 52/2026), a postgraduate research support role in Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain. The application deadline is 10 November 2026.

Job Details

Company: Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG)

Position: PhD Student / postgraduate research support position

Reference: Ref 52/2026

Location: Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain

Staff type: Research Support Staff / General research support

Working conditions: Temporary contract; full-time hours/week

Start date: As soon as possible

Publication date on CRAGJobs: 27 October 2026

Application deadline: 10 November 2026

Project Details

Project: PANTEDIV (PID2025-175078NB-I00)

Group: Rosaceae genetics and genomics group

Funding: MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033

Key Responsibilities of the CRAG PhD Student

The CRAG PhD student will contribute to PANTEDIV tasks including:

  • Perform DNA and RNA extraction, library preparation and other routine molecular biology procedures.
  • Build and analyze pangenome variation graphs of Prunus and Citrus accessions.
  • Analyze population-level sequencing data using both short and long reads and pangenome frameworks.
  • Identify structural variants associated with agronomically relevant traits (SV-GWAS).
  • Analyze transcriptomic and epigenetic datasets.
  • Contribute to data management and bioinformatics pipeline development.
  • Participate in scientific meetings and occasional field trips for sample collection.

Eligibility Criteria for the PhD Position at CRAG

Educational requirements: Degree in agronomy, biology, biotechnology or similar.

Positively valued:

  • Hands-on experience in Illumina, PacBio and Nanopore sequencing (library preparation and downstream analyses).
  • Experience in computational genomics (genome assembly, annotation, alignment, variant detection, epigenetics).
  • Experience in R, Python programming and high-performance computing.
  • Experience in transposon identification in genomics datasets.

Required Skills

  • Advanced English.
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Communication skills and user training abilities.
  • Proactive continuous-improvement mindset.
  • Ability to coordinate and work within a technical team.

Documents Required

  • CV
  • Motivation letter

How to Apply for the CRAG PhD Student Position

Applications must be submitted through the CRAG recruitment portal (login/register on CRAGJobs) with CV and motivation letter. The listing also references [email protected].

Additional Information

CRAG follows the European Commission Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. Candidates are considered without restrictions of gender, race, nationality or disability, with a first-turn integration policy for disabled staff.

About CRAG

CRAG is an independent research institution engaged in leading-edge basic and applied plant and farm animal sciences. It is established as a Consortium of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), and University of Barcelona (UB). The Center is located at the UAB Campus and currently hosts about 200 members from across the world. Research programmes at CRAG (from basic science to applied research using plant experimental model systems, crops and farm animals) make extensive use of genomic technologies and large genetic and genomic datasets.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ORIGINAL NOTIFICATION / APPLY ONLINE

Applications for the CRAG PhD student position close on 10 November 2026 and must be submitted through the CRAG recruitment portal on CRAGJobs.