publishes a public tender for

"YOUNG RESEARCHERS / PhD STUDENTS"

Deadline for application is April, 5, 2025.

The National Institute of Biology (NIB) is a public research institution whose primary activity involves research in the field of biology and related natural sciences. We are active in areas such as environmental conservation, climate change, ecological, and biotechnological research.

• Are you dynamic and enjoy new challenges?
• Do you aspire to continue your academic and career path through postgraduate studies and employment, aiming to acquire not only excellent professional knowledge but also communication and leadership skills, with an open path for work both in other institutes and with industry partners?
• Would you be excited about working with flexible hours in a stimulating international work environment with opportunities for professional and personal development?
• Do you thrive in a pleasant team environment and contribute your piece to the puzzle of excellent performance of a socially responsible employer who values employees and cares for their personal development?

If you have answered "YES" to the questions, you will be pleased to hear that based on the Law on Scientific Research and Innovation Activities (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 186/21 and 40/23), the Regulation on Financing Scientific Research Activities from the Budget of the Republic of Slovenia (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 35/22, 144/22, and 79/23), the General Act on Stable Financing of Scientific Research Activities (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 87/22 and 103/22 - corr.), as well as the Rules on Selection and Financing of Young Researchers at NIB,

We are announcing the possibility of postgraduate training of young researchers with the following supervisors in the indicated program groups:

• Nataša Stritih Peljhan, PhD, Program group: Communities, interactions and communication in ecosystems (P1-0255)

• Prof. Al Vrezec, PhD,, Program group: Communities, interactions and communication in ecosystems (P1-0255)

• Katja Kološa, PhD, Ecotoxicology, toxicogenomics and carcinogenesis (P1-0245)

• Katarina Bačnik, PhD, Biotechnology and Systems Biology of Plants (P4-0165)

A candidate for a young researcher must meet the following conditions:

• He has not yet completed a doctorate in science oracquired the scientific title of Doctor of Philosophy.
• He has not yet been employed as a young researcher.
• He has completed a second-level study program or education that corresponds to the level of education obtained through second-level study programs and, in accordance with the law governing the Slovenian qualifications framework, is ranked at level 8 or a comparable study program obtained abroad.
• As a rule, he has an average grade of at least 8.00 for all exams and exercises in the first-cycle study program and the second-cycle study program.For students who have completed their studies abroad – a comparable equivalent, if it is possible to obtain it, otherwise at least a mentor's recommendation.
• The time condition for entry into the funding scheme which is tied to the completion of studies is specified in the Rulebook on Stable Funding of Scientific Research Activities of the Slovenian Research Agency.

Selected young researchers who have not completed their second-cycle study program at the time of application must complete their studies no later than September 15 of the current year.

Applications with evidence of meeting the application requirements must be sent no later than April 5, 2025, via email to the address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please indicate in the message to which mentor you are applying.

Attach your CV, motivational letter, certificates of completed exams and average grades in the first and second-cycle study programs, and a description of any previous participation in research work to your application.

We will only consider applications that arrive at the specified address within the deadline.

Candidates will be informed of the results of the call via email to the address provided in the application.
 

More about training:
 

Title: The function and evolution of insect communication systems
Core Research Project group: Communities, Interactions and Communications in Ecosystems (P1-0255)
Supervisor: Nataša Stritih Peljhan, PhD

We are announcing a call for a young researcher position (PhD candidate), to join the dynamic research team at the Department of Organism and Ecosystem Research at NIB. Our group includes internationally recognized experts in animal communication, with a particular focus on insect signalling. A key part of our research explores how insects communicate using mechanical (acoustic and vibrational) signals and the neurobiological basis of their perception. To study these processes, we use cutting-edge techniques, including non-contact laser vibrometry, high-speed video recording, automated signal recognition, electrophysiological recordings of neural activity with selective neuron labelling, together with advanced functional and anatomical analyses of neural networks. Beyond advancing fundamental scientific knowledge, our research also has practical applications in insect monitoring and biological control.

The candidate will primarily investigate the function and evolutionary development of the sensory neural system for detecting and processing of acoustic and vibrational signals in crickets. The work program will be closely integrated with ongoing research of communication and sexual selection mechanisms in the selected species, facilitating integration of the candidate into the research group. The project will take place in state-of-the-art laboratories of the newly established Biotechnology Hub NIB, which operates under a certified quality management system, in the environment hosting researchers both from Slovenia and abroad. The position also offers opportunities for participation in specialized workshops, research training abroad and attendance at international conferences, which will help developing the key skills for independent research, gain international recognition, and improve career prospects of the candidate.

We are looking for a motivated, self-initiative, reliable, and precise candidate with a passion for research, expressing creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. A background in biology or a related field, with experience in animal behaviour and/or physiology, is preferred. Due to the technical nature of the research, we also welcome applicants from technical fields, such as electrical engineering and computer science, with a strong interest in biology.

Preferred skills also include proficiency in programming languages such as R, Python, or MATLAB, and basic understanding of electronics. Given the international nature of the research and scientific literature in English, good English proficiency is highly desirable.

• Contact: dr. Nataša Stritih Peljhan, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  
  

Title: Functional ecology of interactions in apex predators
Program group: Communities, interactions and communication in ecosystems (P1-0255)
Supervisor: Assist. Prof. Al Vrezec, PhD

Scientific Field: Biology

We are inviting applications for a young researcher (PhD student) to join the dynamic research group of the Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research. The research group is interdisciplinary and includes internationally recognized researchers. The study of functional ecology and evolution is one of the central research areas of the Department of Organisms and Ecosystem Research. In addition, the department's long-term monitoring of populations of different species reveals changes in the structure and functioning of ecosystems as a result of climate and other environmental changes. Such ecosystem changes are the result of the adaptive dynamics of communities at the end of which the apex predators stand.

The young researcher's field of work will be the functional ecology of the apex predator, and the model species will be the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis), with a focus on analyzing wide-range and long-term data. Part of this data comes from previous research within the research program and other projects of the EKOS department, part of the data will be collected during the training of the young researcher by analyzing literature and collecting field and museum data. The Ural Owl, is an originally boreal species whose population core is in the boreal forests of northern Eurasia, but which also has a glacial relict population in the southern temperate forests of eastern and south-eastern Europe. The species shows a pronounced interregional size variability, which, contrary to expectations, is reflected in smaller individuals in the north and larger ones in the south. Size differences between populations can have clear functional ecological effects in predators, as the size of the predator influences not only the size of the prey captured, but also the specialization itself. On the other hand, larger individuals/species tend to dominate environmental resources, especially in highly territorial species such as owls of the genus Strix. This is reflected in competitive interactions and consequently in other parts of the biodiversity in the environment, which is subject to different selection pressures due to the different structure of the predator community. Previous research on both species at the EKOS department was conducted on an established long-term research site with a network of nest-boxes, so the young researcher can use the established research field infrastructure. In addition, long-term monitoring of populations of owls, small mammals and some other organism species, e.g. beetles, will be carried out in the area, which will provide a suitable basis for the young researcher's research work. This task will also involve international connections of the supervisor and the group, so we will also consider the task to be wide-ranging and take into account the different functional responses of the same predator to different environmental conditions.

With the new NIB infrastructure, the young researcher will conduct research with modern field and laboratory equipment and work in a team of top researchers. During his/her work, he/she will participate in national and international projects and collaborate with national and international partners. Participation in various congresses will enable the candidate to develop the skills required for independent research work after completion of the PhD and to gain international recognition and good employment opportunities.

We expect the applicant to have a passion for research work and a desire to create cutting-edge science from the perspective of data analysis, its interpretation and the search for new, unknown phenomena and processes. We expect the applicant to have scientific curiosity, initiative, the ability to write scientific publications, critical judgment, teamwork skills and accuracy. Due to the work in international collaborations, a good knowledge of English is desirable. We expect an education in biology or another related subject, and experience with analytical/statistical and field work is desirable. The planned research will combine different fields, in particular ecology, evolution and conservation biology. The training program for the young researcher and the exact content of the PhD thesis will be finally agreed with the selected candidate.

The young researcher will work at the Department of Organism and Ecosystem Research at the National Institute of Biology in Ljubljana.

• Informations: Assist. Prof. Al Vrezec, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Title: Development of new in vitro methodological approaches for genotoxicity assessment of chemicals and nanoparticles
Research programme: Ecotoxicology, Toxicogenomics and Carcinogenesis
Mentor: dr. Katja Kološa; co-mentor: dr. Matjaž Novak

We are announcing an opportunity for a young researcher to join the dynamic research group at the Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology. Our internationally recognized team is specialized in genetic toxicology, distinguished by our use of advanced cell models, cutting-edge experimental techniques, and strong integration into international research networks.

We are looking for a motivated candidate with a background in natural sciences, such as biology, microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, pharmacy, or related fields. The candidate should demonstrate teamwork skills, reliability, self-initiative, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate research results effectively, including writing scientific publications. Given the collaborative nature of our work, the candidate will participate in national and international projects with domestic and international partners. Therefore, a strong command of English and a willingness to undertake short- or long-term training in research laboratories abroad are expected.

The proposed doctoral research will focus on developing advanced in vitro cell models based on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and implementing novel methodological approaches to assess the (geno)toxic effects of chemicals and nanoparticles, as well as investigating their mechanisms of action. The PhD candidate will conduct research in state-of-the-art laboratories, utilizing classical genetic toxicology methods enhanced with modern molecular biology techniques in both traditional and advanced 3D in vitro cell models.

The PhD candidate will work within the framework of national and international projects and networks. The exact topic of PhD thesis and training program will be finalized in agreement with the selected candidate, aligning with the current research directions of our group.

The PhD candidate will work at the Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology at the National Institute of Biomedical Sciences in Ljubljana.

• Information: dr. Katja Kološa and dr. Matjaž Novak; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Title: Viromic Research of Invertebrates and Associated Samples
Research Program: Biotechnology and Systems Biology of Plants (P4-0165) 
Mentor: Katarina Bačnik, PhD

Field of Study: Biotechnology 

We are announcing an open position for a young researcher to join a dynamic and internationally recognized team of virologists and molecular biologists. The team is interdisciplinary, consisting of biologists, microbiologists, biochemists, biotechnologists, plant protection experts, and other specialists. Our research covers diverse topics, ranging from biology, diversity, evolution, epidemiology, and diagnostics of microbes to the development and validation of detection methods. We address research and diagnostic questions using state-of-the-art methodologies, including quantitative and digital PCR, electron microscopy, high-throughput sequencing, and bioinformatics. Our research focuses on plant and animal pathogenic microbes, environmental virology, and viral ecology (e.g., studies of viruses from environmental samples and invasive species). We are part of the European Reference Laboratory for Viruses and Phytoplasmas in Plants. 

The researcher will conduct their work in laboratories equipped with cutting-edge research infrastructure at NIB, within a certified quality system, collaborating with colleagues from Slovenia and the international research community. Young researcher will participate in international projects and collaborate with top research institutions in Slovenia and abroad, as well as with high-tech Slovenian and foreign companies that are our partners. Through research work and participation in various workshops, the candidate will acquire skills essential for a successful postdoctoral career, high employability, and personal growth. These skills include critical thinking, communication tailored to different audiences, teamwork, project planning and management, understanding of quality systems, and more. 

We expect candidates to have a passion for research, creativity, critical judgment, teamwork skills, reliability, and a positive attitude. Due to international collaborations, strong English skills are essential. Candidates should hold a degree in biology, microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, (bio)informatics, or a related field. Experience in molecular laboratory work or in analyzing large datasets using bioinformatics or statistical methods is desirable. 

The young researcher’s work will focus on viromic research of invertebrates and their associated samples. The topic will involve viromic approaches for studying viral diversity in invertebrates (e.g., invasive crustacean species) and investigating the survival of plant viruses in the excreta and remains of invertebrates (e.g., fly larvae). The researcher will use a combination of classical and modern virology and molecular biology techniques, such as high-throughput sequencing (Illumina, Oxford Nanopore Technologies) followed by bioinformatics analysis, quantitative and digital PCR, electron microscopy, and biological infectivity assays. The research will be part of ongoing projects. 

The postgraduate studies will likely be conducted at the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School. The young researcher will be working at the Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology at the National Institute of Biology (NIB) in Ljubljana. 

• Contact for further information: Dr. Katarina Bačnik, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.