Two (2) Ph.D positions are open for international students in 1) Molecular Ecology in Rivers and 2) Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (ARGs) in Water Environment at the Molecular Ecology and Health (MECOH) Lab of Ehime University, Japan (Opened 2025.03.18)

Molecular Ecology and Health (MECOH) Lab of Ehime University, Japan (PI: Prof. Kozo Watanabe; lab URL https://www.mecohlab.com/ ) is advertising for two (2) opening positions of international (non-Japanese) doctoral students with full financial support for the two research areas: 1) Molecular Ecology in Rivers and 2) Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (ARGs) in Water Environment. Applicants need to specify one research area that they want to study on their application letter.
 
Description of the positions:
 
Research Area 1: Molecular Ecology in Rivers
The successful candidate will conduct field surveys using riverine organisms (macroinvertebrates, bacteria, and fish) and environmental DNA (eDNA). The main focus will be on the bioinformatics analysis of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data, such as metabarcoding, metagenomics, ddRADseq, and transcriptomics, to understand biodiversity (genetic and species diversity) and evolutionary patterns. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to a recently funded project entitled “Optimization of River Habitat Structure Based on Functional Diversity of Aquatic Insect Communities.” The aim of this research is to propose a molecular biological approach to evaluate the various functions of river ecosystems, such as organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling, which have lost habitat diversity (e.g., rapids, pools, backwaters) due to human influence and are no longer able to demonstrate these functions. If the selected candidate contributes to the above-mentioned project, he/she will be able to propose and carry out other research projects, such as NGS-based analysis of fish and bacteria at community and population level, if he/she wishes.

Research Area 2: Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (ARGs) in Water Environment
The successful candidate will investigate the emergence and transmission of antibiotic resistance genes across patients, livestock, and water environments (rivers and wastewater treatment plants). The candidate will be required to contribute to a recently funded project titled “Understanding the relationship between antimicrobial-resistant indicator bacteria in water environments and strains from humans and animals through genome analysis.” This research aims to propose indicator species and indicator ARGs suitable for inter-sector comparisons based on the whole genome information of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli and ESKAPE pathogens isolated from the human, animal, and environmental sectors. Additionally, by understanding the localization of ARGs within the chromosomes and plasmids of indicator species, the research will estimate the inter-sector diffusion of gene cassettes that include mobile genetic factors and explore ARGs that co-localize with pathogenic genes of public health concern and their environmental factors. If the selected candidate contributes to the above project, they may propose and execute other research projects, such as bacterial community analysis based on metagenomic analysis, if he/she wishes.
 
Application deadline and start date of the position:

• Application deadline: 30 April 2025 or until all positions are filled - up.
• Start date of the position: Between July 2025 – February 2026 (flexible and late start also negotiable)

 
Eligibility:

1. Only non-Japanese nationals are eligible to apply for this position (Japanese nationals are not eligible).
2. Master's degree in related fields (e.g., biology, environmental science, ecology, microbiology) is required before the start date of the said position (not by the time of application).
3. There is no age limit.

 
Contract details:

• Duration of contract: Maximum of 4 years and 6 months.

• Full financial support (stipend, tuition, and round-trip ticket) is guaranteed by MECOH’s research projects, and can also be complemented by additional support from scholarships from private foundations in Japan.
• The candidate should be able to work independently, with very good or excellent English communication skills, and can work harmoniously with a team of multi-disciplinary field.

 
Application and selection processes:
   Application and selection processes: Applicants are encouraged to send the following files to Prof. Kozo Watanabe by email ([email protected]). ​In the "Subject" field, please write: “MECOH PhD Application”.

1. CV (any format). You can use any format you like, but please be sure to include your photo and your date of birth.
2. An application letter, limited to 3 pages, that explains the applicant’s past research activities and motivation for the PhD project. Applicants need to specify one research area that they want to study on their application letter. At the end of your application letter, please include the names, affiliations, and contact details of two references that Professor Watanabe can contact for an online meeting.
3. A PDF of any published papers if the applicant has any reviewed journal publications.

   
If you have any questions regarding the said position, please contact the email address above.