PhD Position: Understanding Cell Differentiation ang Growth Regulation of Laticifer Cells in Plants.

PhD Position: Understanding Cell Differentiation ang Growth Regulation of Laticifer Cells in Plants.
Location: Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP; CSIC-UPV), Valencia, Spain
Start Date: January 2026
Application Deadline: September 30th, 2025. Early applications are encouraged.
Supervisors: Dr. Pablo Vera and Dr. Francisco Escaray.
Funding: Four years predoctoral contract associated to the AEI project PID2024-155684NB-I00.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and talented PhD student to join the Plant Stress Adaptation to Environmental Stress and Bioenergy Crops group at the Institute for Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology (IBMCP-CSIC/UPV) to explore the molecular mechanisms underlaying laticifer cell differentiation and growth through a multidisciplinary approach.

Building on recent work, our lab is scaling up efforts to characterize the way plant laticifer cells, which represents the largest cell type existing in nature and who are in charge of latex biosynthesis, differentiate, grow and distribute throughout the plant body. We aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes and exploit this understanding to improve crop productivity.

Project Overview
This PhD project will combine:
● High-throughput experiments combining genetics, molecular and cell biology and biochemistry to characterize genes and proteins mediating laticifer cell growth.
● Computational analyses of RNA and DNA sequencing data from these experiments.
● Integration with IA tools and natural variation, to model and predict organization and the distribution pattern of this peculiar plant cell type within different plant organs.

Your Profile

• Curiosity, strong motivation and a collaborative mindset.
  ● Background in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related fields.
  ● Experience with programming (Python and/or R) and statistical data analysis is
  highly recommended .Our Group
  We are a plant biology lab investigating how laticifer cells appeared during evolution and what beneficial consequences conferred to plants for better environmental adaptation. We use multidisciplinary and large-scale experimentation to understand the functionality and biological role of plant laticifer cells. Find out more at https://ibmcp.upv.es/grupos_investigacion/adaptacion-plantas-estres-ambiental-biotecnologia-cultivos-energeticos/

We value humility, honesty, and collaboration. Scientific progress in our lab is grounded in respectful debate and collegiality, and we are committed to maintaining an inclusive, open, and supportive environment for researchers of all backgrounds.

The IBMCP is located in the València (Spain), in the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV) campus, and is home to a diverse and engaged scientific community. Learn more about us at ‪@IBMCP, @ibmcp.bsky.social, linkdin and at https://ibmcp.upv.es/.

How to Apply
Please send the following to vera@ibmcp.upv.es and fjescmaz@ibmcp.upv.es

● Your CV
● A single page motivation letter
● Your academic transcript (undergraduate and Master’s)
● Recommendation letter, sent directly by referees

Deadline: September 30th, 2025. Early applications are encouraged.
Start date: January 2026 (with some flexibility)