🍏 PhD Position – Decoding Fruit Quality: Genetics and Function in Apple

A fully funded PhD opportunity is now available through a collaboration between UniTrento C3A and Laimburg Research Centre for students interested in plant genetics, food science, and fruit quality research.

Fruit quality is commonly evaluated based on appearance and taste, but the biological mechanisms controlling these traits are highly complex. This exciting PhD project aims to uncover how genetic factors regulate important apple quality traits such as texture, storability, and antioxidant activity to support future breeding strategies and consumer value.

🔬 Research Focus

The selected PhD candidate will work on:

• Characterisation of fruit texture and storage performance

• Analysis of antioxidant properties beyond simple concentration-based metrics

• Identification of genetic loci (QTLs) controlling fruit quality traits

🧪 Techniques & Methods

The project will involve a combination of experimental and genomic approaches, including:

• Texture profiling and storage experiments

• GWAS and SNP marker analysis

• Electrochemistry, calorimetry, and spectrometry

👨‍🔬 Supervisors

• Fabrizio Costa

• Walter Guerra

• Matteo Scampicchio

🎯 Candidate Requirements

Applicants should ideally have:

• A background in plant science, genetics, food science, or related disciplines

• Interest in fruit quality, plant breeding, and functional traits

• Experience in laboratory techniques, genomics, or data analysis

🌍 Why Join This Project?

This PhD offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of:

• Genetics

• Plant physiology

• Food science

The research outcomes may directly contribute to improving apple breeding strategies and enhancing consumer-oriented fruit quality.

📍 Research Location

The project is based in northern Italy at:

• UniTrento C3A (Center for Agriculture, Food and Environment) located in San Michele all’Adige, Trentino

• Laimburg Research Centre located in Vadena/Pfatten, South Tyrol

Both institutes are situated in one of Europe’s most important apple-producing regions near the cities of Trento and Bolzano, offering an excellent research environment surrounded by the Alpine landscape and advanced agricultural research facilities.

📌 Position Details

• Institution: UniTrento C3A & Laimburg Research Centre

• Funding: Fully funded

• Duration: 3 years

• Salary: €21,750/year (~€1,650/month)

• Application Deadline: May 28, 2026

🔗 Application Link

Apply here: https://lnkd.in/genGFe8d