Embarking on a PhD journey is a significant step in an academic career. Europe offers a plethora of research opportunities across various disciplines. Below is a curated selection of recent PhD positions available through esteemed European institutions, designed to cater to diverse research interests.
1. PhD in Sustainable and Green Electronics for Biotechnology Instrumentation
- Institution: Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
- Location: Tallinn, Estonia
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2025
- Project Overview: This PhD project aims to develop energy-efficient droplet biotechnology instrumentation for research and development. The project focuses on flow and thermal regulation, light intensity measurement, system integration, and edgeAI control, with a focus on sustainability and green electronics.
- Ideal Candidate: Applicants should have experience in biomedical engineering, mechanical/mechatronics engineering, electrical engineering, technical physics, system integration, or similar fields.
- Starting salary of 2300 €/month gross, with a possibility to increase
- Apply Here: TalTech PhD Admissions
- For further information, please contact Dr. Tamas Pardy (tamas.pardy@taltech.ee) and Dr. Rauno Jõemaa (rauno.joemaa@taltech.ee) with “CogniFlow-PhD” in the e-mail title.
2. PhD in Non-Precious Metal Catalysts for Hydrogenation & Hyperpolarization Applications
- Institution: Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
- Location: Tallinn, Estonia
- Project Overview: This PhD project focuses on developing non-precious transition metal-based catalysts for hydrogenation reactions and their use in para-hydrogen induced hyperpolarization applications. The research involves designing and synthesizing suitable first-row transition metal complexes capable of reversible H₂ binding and hydrogenation reactions.
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2025
- Ideal Candidate: Candidates should have a Master’s degree in chemistry or a related field, with experience in organometallic chemistry and NMR spectroscopy.
- 4-year fully funded PhD position in one of the most internationalized research centers in Estonia at KBFI
- Interested candidates should contact Dr Martin Jakoobi at martin.jakoobi@kbfi.ee
- Apply Here: TalTech PhD Admissions
3. PhD in AI for Cumulative Impact Assessment
- Institution: Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
- Location: Tallinn, Estonia
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2025
- Project Overview: This PhD project aims to develop AI-driven models to extract and analyze environmental impact information from scientific literature. The research focuses on integrating Natural Language Processing (NLP) with environmental and marine science data to enhance decision-making in habitat restoration and ecosystem management.
- Ideal Candidate: Applicants should have a Master’s degree in Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, or a related field, with strong skills in NLP and deep learning.
- A fully funded PhD position for four years.
- For inquiries, please contact Prof. Jonne Kotta at jonne.kotta@taltech.ee.
- Apply Here: TalTech PhD Admissions
4. PhD in Effects of Recurrent Drought Evets on Soil Microbial Communities
- Institution: University of Bologna
- Location: Bologna, Italy
- Application Deadline: 1 July 2025
- Project Overview: This PhD position is part of the ERC-funded EcoMEMO project, which explores how repeated droughts affect soil microbial communities and ecosystem functions. The research involves field experiments, molecular biology, stable isotope tracing, and microbial trait analyses to understand microbial resilience under climate extremes.
- Ideal Candidate: Applicants should have an MSc in Ecology, Microbial Ecology, Environmental Sciences, or related fields. Experience with molecular or microbial lab work or soil biogeochemistry is desirable.
- Main Responsibilities
- Conduct soil and plant sampling in field experiments
- Analyze microbial communities (amplicon sequencing, PLFA, enzyme assays)
- Investigate microbial traits and C/N cycling under drought
- Collaborate in data analysis and publication writing
- Apply Here: University of Bologna PhD
5. PhD in Gut Microbiota, Immune Regulation, and Functional Nutrition
- Institution: Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences
- Location: Jastrzębiec, Poland
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2025
- Project Overview: This PhD project explores how functional food supplementation can alter the gut microbial community and influence the immune system and liver health. The research involves studying interactions between diet, the gut microbiome, immune responses, and metabolic outcomes.
- Ideal Candidate: Candidates should have a Master’s degree in biology, microbiology, biotechnology, veterinary science, or a related discipline. A solid background in microbiology or immunology is important.
- Apply Here: Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology
6. PhD in Synergy-Based Antimicrobial Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications
- Institution: Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
- Location: Tallinn, Estonia
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2025
- Project Overview: This PhD project aims to design and synthesize innovative nanocomposite materials tailored for antimicrobial applications in biomedical fields, including wound dressings, implants, and surface coatings. The research focuses on creating novel nanomaterials by combining metal-based antimicrobial nanoparticles with biologically active organic compounds to achieve synergistic antimicrobial effects.
- Ideal Candidate: Applicants should have a Master’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, or nanotechnology. Experience in nanomaterial synthesis and characterization is advantageous.
- Apply Here: TalTech PhD Admissions
7. Two PhD Positions in Biorefinery and AgroBiotechnology
- Institution: Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
- Location: Brussels, Belgium
- Application Deadline: 4 August 2025
- Project Overview: ULB is offering two PhD positions: one in biorefinery, focusing on scaling up enzyme production for biomass conversion, and another in agrobiotechnology, centered on characterizing plant immune stimulants for designing new biopesticides.
- Ideal Candidate: Candidates should have a Master’s degree in agronomy, bioengineering, biotechnology, microbiology, plant biology, chemistry, or related fields.
- Application procedure
- The position will be kept open until a suitable candidate is found and no later than 4th August 2025. The applications must be delivered with the required documents at david.cannella@ulb.be. Applicants from last year of master program are welcome. Applications that do not match the minimal requested requirements for the candidate and documents for the application (see below), will not be considered and no further information on the selection process will be shared.
- Reference code in e-mail object: 11-2025 ZELDA-PhD positions
- One pdf file containing:
-1 page motivational letter specifying for which project you are applying: #1 or #2 (or #both)
-2 pages CV max.
– 1 page of all your achievements: list of communications/publications/outreaching, of your previous scientific and non-sci activities that most represent your person.
– 2 Reference letters signed and with contact info for verification. - Master thesis in pdf
- A net monthly salary between 2.300 and 2.600 euros should be expected,
- Apply Here: ULB PhD Programmesulb.be
- E-mail: david.cannella@ulb.be
8. Scientific Liaison at the Bioengineering in Reproductive Health Research Group
- Institution: Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)
- Location: Barcelona, Spain
- Application Deadline: 16 June 2025
- Project Overview: IBEC is seeking a Scientific Liaison to coordinate research and industrial projects within the Bioengineering in Reproductive Health Research Group. The role involves research management, liaison between IBEC and external partners, grant strategy coordination, and financial management.
- Ideal Candidate: Applicants should have a PhD in Life or Physical Sciences, with at least 2 years of experience in research management. Excellent English and Spanish skills are required.
- Apply Here: Until 16th June an online application form is available through IBEC dedicated site: https://careers.ibecbarcelona.eu/
- Only those applications submitted before the deadline will be evaluated.
- Reference: SL-SO: If you have any further question regarding your application, please contact us at jobs@ibecbarcelona.eu
9. PhD in Dynamics of DNA Repair Mechanisms in Living Cells
- Institution: Roumen Tsanev Institute of Molecular Biology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
- Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2025
- Project Overview: This PhD position is part of a PROMYS project focusing on the dynamics of DNA repair mechanisms in living cells under normal and disease conditions. The research utilizes advanced microscopy techniques available at the Bulgarian Center for Advanced Microscopy.
- Ideal Candidate: Candidates should have a strong background (MSc) in molecular biology, biochemistry, or genetics. While experience in DNA repair or live-cell microscopy is a plus, enthusiasm and curiosity are key.
- Apply Here: Institute of Molecular Biology
10. PhD in Molecular Mechanisms of the Circadian Clock in Plants
- Institution: Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG)
- Location: Barcelona, Spain
- Application Deadline: 25 August 2025
- Project Overview: This PhD position focuses on studying the molecular mechanisms of the circadian clock in plants. The research involves molecular genetics and cell biology to understand how circadian rhythms are regulated in model plants.
- Ideal Candidate: Applicants should have a Master’s degree in biology, plant science, genetics, or a related field. Experience in plant molecular biology techniques is required.
- Interested candidates must submit the following documents:
- Curriculum vitae
- A motivation letter, including a brief summary of work experience and a statement of research interests and career goals (2 pages maximum).
- Student’s certified Academic Record, including a detailed record of study / transcript (a list of attended courses and corresponding grades)
- Any additional files considered relevant to the application, but please only provide documents that are important to support it two reference letters from university lecturers or scientists with whom the applicant has studied or worked
- Apply Here: CRAG PhD Programmeacademicpositions.com
Tips for PhD Applicants
- Customize Your Application: Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant experiences and align with the specific research focus of the position.
- Engage with Potential Supervisors: Reach out to prospective supervisors to express your interest and gain deeper insights into the project.
- Prepare for Interviews: Be ready to discuss your previous
You may also explore our recent post on PhD positions at the BioCareersHub page. For details, click here