PhD student (m/f/x)

About us:

The Population Genomics Group, led by Prof. Ivica Medugorac, is part of the Chair of Animal Systems Genomics, which is based at the Department of Veterinary Sciences at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU. Our research focuses on the neutral and functional genetic diversity of domesticated animals and their wild relatives, as well as on population and evolutionary genomics, domestication, artificial selection, conservation biology and sustainable agriculture. By combining modern genomic methods with data from different temporal and population-genetic contexts, we investigate how genetic diversity arises, is maintained and changes under natural and artificial selection.

The ‘BackToShort’ research project aims to breed lambs with a natural and functional short-tail phenotype into various Bavarian commercial and endangered domestic sheep populations, with a view to avoiding tail docking in the future.

A key focus is on genomic selection and the preservation of genetic diversity. In addition to a genetic variant already identified in the HOXB13 gene region, genetic mapping and genome-wide sequencing will be used to investigate further genetic variants that influence tail length. At the same time, the project will monitor how selection affects genomic relatedness, genetic diversity and other relevant breeding traits.

The project combines applied animal breeding with fundamental questions concerning the population and evolutionary genomics of farm animals. The PhD thesis therefore offers the opportunity to combine project-specific genomic and phenotypic data with publicly available genomic data and to investigate the observed patterns in the context of evolution, domestication and artificial selection.

The three-year project is being carried out in close collaboration with breeding organisations, the LfL and other partners from the field of veterinary medicine. The analyses themselves will take place in the Population Genomics Group at the Martinsried/Planegg site and, from spring 2027, at the Munich city (Königinstraße).

We are looking for you:

in Planegg

Your tasks and responsibilities:

• Systematic collection of metadata on sheep population genomics
• Analysis of genomic data (SNPs and WGS)
• Writing research reports
• Writing scientific publications
• Writing your own doctoral thesis

Your qualifications:

For an interdisciplinary research project on genomics-assisted breeding for short-tailed sheep, we are seeking a PhD student with an interest in population genomics, animal breeding, veterinary medicine, evolutionary biology and/or bioinformatics for an interdisciplinary research project on genomics-assisted breeding for short-tailed traits in sheep.

• A Master’s degree in Biology or Animal Sciences/Animal Breeding or Bioinformatics or Genetics or Computational Biology or a completed veterinary medicine degree
• Solid knowledge of biological data analysis and an enthusiasm for computer-assisted research
• Ideally, some experience with genomic data, SNP data, next-generation sequencing data or population genetic analyses
• Ideally, programming skills, e.g. in R, Python or similar
• A structured, independent and meticulous approach to work
• Very good written and spoken English (essential) and knowledge of German (desirable)

Benefits:

The LMU is one of the largest and most prestigious research institutions in Germany and offers a wide range of training and development opportunities. The workplace is Martinsried close to Bio-M Cluster that can be easily reached by public transport. The salary will be based on TV-L Entgeltgruppe E13 (65%). The University of Munich is interested in increasing the number of female faculty members and encourages women to apply.

People with disabilities who are equally as qualified as other applicants will receive preferential treatment.

Contact:

To apply please send your CV and cover letter till 30.11.2026 to i.medugorac@lmu.de. For any further enquiries regarding the position, please contact Prof. Medugorac at the same e-mail address.

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