PhD in Agrobiodiversity

The goal of this three-year PhD Programme is to enhance human resource capacities in the use and management of genetic variation in agricultural and natural systems, to improve the sustainability of agricultural systems and the conservation of genetic resources for the well-being of present and future generations. Candidates can choose between two curricula:

Curriculum A – Plant genetic resources

Curriculum B – Functional biodiversity in agroecosystems

Here are some examples of research areas tackled by the PhD Programme:

• Genetic variation in single genes and entire genomes of agricultural and forestry plants and their wild relatives.
• Mechanisms that control the variability in genes and/or groups of genes, as those involved in resistance to pathogens and/or pests and tolerance to environmental factors.
• Role of functional biodiversity in maintaining genetic diversity, including evolution and co-evolution of pests/pathogens and host plants.
• Role of functional diversity, including interactions between pests/ pathogens/weeds and domesticated/volunteer/wild plants, in agroecosystem health.
• Plant and crop physiology, including plant stress physiology and post-harvest physiology.
• Application of agrobiodiversity solutions at genetic, species and habitat level to improve crop performance, crop protection, sustainable crop/agroforestry management and multifunctional land use.

Positions and grants: 6 Positions with Scholarships.

Beginning of the PhD Programme: October, 1^st 2017

Information

Tel: +39 050.883.182

Mail: info-phdlifesciences@sssup.it