We are opening a new PhD position !

PhD Studentship in Plant-Herbivore Ecology:  
Global trends in phytochemical diversity and plant-herbivore interactions​

We are seeking enthusiastic candidates to join the prestigious JUNIOR STAR project funded by the Czech Science Foundation, aimed at exploring the global drivers of phytochemical diversity. This project investigates the fascinating diversity of plant metabolites by analysing how various aspects of chemical diversity correlate with biotic and abiotic stress factors on the global scale. To test our hypotheses, we focus on the Salicaceae family that represents a unique model system, being globally distributed in diverse environments. Using advanced metabolomics techniques, we will dissect the chemical profiles of Salicaceae species and assess various dimensions of their chemical diversity across latitudes and continents. We will explore how these dimensions govern interactions with both biotic and abiotic factors. This project will reveal the ecological processes that maintain chemical diversity and generate the seemingly endless number specialized metabolites that allow plants to thrive on our planet.​

Read More