Dos plazas de doctorado en biología computacional en Praga (Charles University, 4 años)

Two PhD positions in Computational Biology at Charles University, Prague

Location: Prague, Czechia

Organization: Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University | Dr. Hana Rozhoňová's research group

Contract Type: Fully funded PhD positions, 4 years

Main Description:

We are recruiting two fully funded PhD student positions in computational biology. Our research asks a simple "what-if" question: if we rewired the genetic code, would evolution take different paths? Almost all organisms on Earth share the same genetic code—a mapping from 64 three-letter codons to amino acids and stop signals. Because mutations typically change one nucleotide at a time, the genetic code makes some amino-acid changes easy to reach and others much harder—potentially biasing evolution in predictable ways.

Two PhD projects are available:

1. Genetic-code bias in amino-acid substitution patterns. The student will quantify whether amino-acid pairs that are more "accessible" under the genetic code (connected by more or shorter mutational paths) tend to substitute for each other more often in nature, and how this interacts with classical mutation bias.

2. Codon degeneracy as a source of evolutionary bias. Most amino acids are encoded by multiple synonymous codons (1–6 in the standard genetic code). We will focus on two questions:

   • Do amino acids with more synonymous codons become more abundant because they are more "findable"?
   • Synonymous codons differ in their one-step mutational neighbors. Can these differences help explain why organisms prefer some synonymous codons over others?

Both projects are purely computational, combining evolutionary simulations with analysis of real biological data.

Requirements:

Applicants should hold (or soon obtain) a Master's degree (or equivalent) in biology/computer science/math/physics/etc. Strong candidates will enjoy programming and data analysis and be curious about evolutionary questions; prior biology knowledge is helpful but not required.

Benefits/Conditions:

• Fully funded positions
• Duration: 4 years
• Start date: October 1, 2026

How to Apply:

Email a single PDF (CV, transcript, motivation letter, and contact details for 1–2 referees) to hana.rozhonova@natur.cuni.cz

Application deadline: March 31, 2026

More information: https://natur.cuni.cz/en/biology/departments-and-work-places/department-of-cell-biology/research/rozhonovalab/opportunities