PhD position:

How Cells Scale Genome Duplication During Development and Disease

Every cell division begins with one of biology’s greatest engineering challenges: faithfully copying an entire genome. Yet how genome duplication is adapted to support the diversity of mammalian cell types, developmental programmes and tissue architecture remains one of the fundamental unanswered questions in biology.

The DNA Replication & Genome Stability Laboratory, led by Dr. Hana Polasek-Sedlackova at the Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (Brno, Czech Republic), invites applications from highly motivated and curious candidates for a fully funded PhD position. Our laboratory seeks to uncover the fundamental principles that allow genome duplication to scale across the extraordinary diversity of mammalian cells, from rapidly proliferating stem cells to differentiated and polyploid tissues. We investigate how DNA replication is dynamically regulated to preserve genome integrity while supporting development, tissue homeostasis and adaptation to changing physiological demands. Understanding these principles will provide new insights into how genome instability arises in human disease, including cancer.

The successful candidate will join an international English-speaking research environment and will also be enrolled in the PhD programme Animal physiology, immunology and developmental biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University.

Starting date: Flexible (preferred January 2027)

Application deadline: 15 September 2026

About the laboratory

The DNA Replication & Genome Stability Laboratory combines quantitative cell biology, genome engineering and advanced microscopy to understand how mammalian cells coordinate genome duplication with growth, differentiation and development. Our goal is not only to identify the molecular mechanisms that regulate DNA replication, but also to uncover the general principles that enable faithful genome duplication across changing cellular and developmental contexts. By integrating mechanistic cell biology with quantitative imaging, stem cell biology, genomics and proteomics, we seek to understand how cells build robust genome maintenance programmes capable of supporting life from single dividing cells to complex tissues. We believe that outstanding science grows from curiosity, creativity and collaboration. Our laboratory provides a supportive and interactive environment where PhD students are encouraged to think independently, develop their own scientific ideas and grow into confident, independent researchers.

The project

During development, cells undergo dramatic changes in size, identity, proliferative capacity and genome content. Yet every proliferating cell must faithfully duplicate its genome before division. How genome duplication adapts to these changing demands remains largely unknown. This PhD project will investigate how mammalian cells dynamically regulate DNA replication initiation across diverse developmental and physiological contexts while maintaining genome integrity. By combining quantitative cell biology with advanced imaging and genome engineering, the project aims to uncover fundamental mechanisms that ensure faithful genome duplication and to understand how their disruption contributes to genome instability and disease.

The project offers extensive training in state-of-the-art approaches, including:

• CRISPR-based genome engineering
• quantitative high-content imaging and live-cell microscopy
• AI-assisted image analysis
• stem cell biology and differentiation models
• functional genomics and proteomics

Why join our laboratory?

Joining our laboratory means becoming part of an ambitious and collaborative research environment addressing fundamental questions at the interface of cell biology, genome stability and development.

We offer:

• a fully funded four-year PhD position in an international, English-speaking research environment
• close mentorship and comprehensive training in state-of-the-art experimental and quantitative approaches
• the opportunity to develop your own scientific ideas and research direction
• collaborations with leading laboratories across Europe and beyond
• support for conference participation, advanced training courses and international research stays
• access to exceptional research infrastructure and core facilities, including advanced technologies and expertise through collaboration with EMBL
• our laboratory is a part of EMBO Young Investigator Network (YIN), providing access to scientific meetings, mentoring activities, networking opportunities and transferable-skills training
• competitive salary, social security and employee benefits, including five weeks of paid vacation, meal allowance, sports and recreation contributions, and on-site childcare
• relocation and administrative support for international applicants, including assistance with housing and visa procedures

The Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences is one of the leading biomedical research institutes in Central Europe and holds the HR Excellence in Research Award, reflecting its commitment to an inclusive, collaborative and family-friendly research environment.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an enthusiastic and intellectually curious candidate who is excited by fundamental biological questions and motivated to pursue a career in research.

Applicants should have:

• a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedicine or related life science discipline
• practical laboratory experience in molecular and/or cell biology
• strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• excellent communication and teamwork skills
• proficiency in spoken and written English.

Previous experience with microscopy, genome editing, stem cell biology, computational image analysis, genomics or proteomics is advantageous but not required.

Research highlights

Our work has uncovered fundamental mechanisms safeguarding genome duplication and genome integrity and has been published in leading journals, including Nature, Nature Communications and Journal of Cell Biology.

• Yadav AK et al. Journal of Cell Biology (2025)
• Yadav AK et al. Nature Communications (2025)
• Fagherazzi P et al. bioRxiv (2025)
• Polasek-Sedlackova H et al. Nature Communications (2022)

Sedlackova H et al. Nature (2020)

How to apply

Please submit your application as a single PDF file including:

• a cover letter describing your scientific interests, motivation and previous research experience (maximum two pages)
• curriculum vitae
• copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates (or confirmation of expected graduation)
• contact details for at least two academic referees

Applications should be sent to ulrich@ibp.cz and polasek-sedlackova@ibp.cz by the 15^th September 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview shortly after the application deadline.

For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Dr. Hana Polasek-Sedlackova.