Studies start in January 2024
Deadline for applications: Friday, 24th of November 2023 (11:59 p.m.)
Information from the Department Secretary:
Contact Form | Tel.: 25002436 | Fax: 25002767
- One (1) position in: “Evaluation of phenolic composition and bioactivity of native pharmaceutical plants with the employment of state-of-the-art chromatographic techniques”
Description: The pharmaceutical plants are a boundless reservoir of bioactive compounds that are linked with diverse pharmacological effects. Cyprus is located at the crossroads of the three major flora zones of Europe, Asia and Africa; therefore, a significant number of native and endemic plants is grown on the island. The objective of the present thesis is to develop hyphenated techniques where a chromatographic technique is coupled with an on-line spectroscopic technique and/or a biochemical assay for the assessment of bioactivity. The state-of-the-art hyphenated techniques allow the fishing of bioactive compounds in pharmaceutical plants without laborious and time-consuming steps of isolation and structural characterization. The implementation of the thesis will provide an integrated platform of high resolution for the study of possible pharmacological effects of native plants.
Required Qualifications: Bachelor and Master of Science degree in Agricultural Sciences, Food Science and Technology, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related disciplines. Applicants must have an excellent working knowledge of the English language. Previous relevant research experience will be considered. Candidates will have to support interview for the current position.
Funding:The candidate can potentially be employed as a teaching assistant, receive an internal scholarship from the University, based on his/her excellence, while he/she can participate in funded research projects which potentially can secure a scholarship.
Research Advisor: Vlasios Goulas, Assistant Professor, vlasios.goulas@cut.ac.cy
- One (1) position in: “Development and optimization of novel production systems of soft fruit crops”
Required Qualifications: Bachelor and Master from an accredited University in Agricultural Sciences or Biology or related disciplines.
Funding: The PhD candidate can be potentially funded through (a) participation in research projects, (b) participation as supporting teaching staff in lab exercises and (c) research funding of the Scientific Supervisor.
Research Advisor: George Manganaris, Associate Professor, george.manganaris@cut.ac.cy
- One (1) position in: “Influence of artificial light at night on the biology of nocturnal species of insects and the ecosystem services they provide”
Description: Artificial light at night (ALAN), a type of light pollution, affects 80% of the world population with the percentage increasing to 90% for USA and Europe. It is estimated that ALAN increases at a yearly rate of 2%. Exposure to ALAN influences the circadian rhythms of living organisms, and the structure of trophic cascades, by increasing predation risk for nocturnal species, especially for species that are attracted to light, such as moths. The present PhD project aims at studying the influence of ALAN on the biology of nocturnal insect species and its effects on the structure of trophic cascades.
Required Qualifications: Candidates are expected to have a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from an accredited University. At least one of the degrees must cover one of the following topics: Agricultural Sciences or Ecology or related disciplines. Applicants must have an excellent working knowledge of the English language. Previous relevant research experience, especially on modelling, is highly valued.
Funding: Qualified candidates could be funded as teaching assistants, receive internal scholarships based on excellence when and if available participating in funded research grants.
Research Advisor: Menelaos Stavrinides, Associate Professor, m.stavrinides@cut.ac.cy
- Two (2) positions in: “Agricultural Microbiology and Biotechnology”
Description: The proposed research will be in the field of Agricultural Microbiology and Biotechnology with indicative topics: studies of microbial communities in various agrifood systems (traditional fermented food products, wine, agricultural products where microbial biodiversity may be having a role on their quality characteristics), antimicrobial resistance in agrifood and environmental ecosystems (irrigation water, ground water, soil, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat), microbes in agroecology systems for crop management (role and exploitation of symbiotic plant microbes, agrifood waste streams management for new product development).
Required Qualifications: Candidates are expected to have a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from an accredited university in Agricultural Sciences or Food Science and Technology or Microbiology or other relevant fields. Special emphasis in Microbiology or Biotechnology or Molecular Biology as well as practical (laboratory or field/industry) experience will be considered an advantage. Applicants must have a very good knowledge of the English language. Candidates will be interviewed for the current position. Applicants are advised to submit a letter of their interests and vision in the field of Agricultural Microbiology and Biotechnology showing independent thinking and ideation capacity proving their potential as leaders in research.
Agricultural Microbiology and Biotechnology Laboratory is an equal opportunity, motivational and inspirational team for all applicants and its members.
Funding: Qualified candidates could be funded as teaching assistants, receive internal scholarships based on excellence, when and if available, and participate in research grants.
Research Advisor: Dimitris Tsaltas, Associate Professor, dimitris.tsaltas@cut.ac.cy
- One (1) position in: "Greenhouse crops and intensive cultivation systems (i.e. Hydroponics) for the vegetables and Aromatic Plant production”
Required Qualifications: Bachelor and Master from an accredited University in Agricultural Sciences or Biology or related disciplines. Applicants should be fluent in English. Previous relevant research experience will be considered.
Candidates will have to support interview for the current position.
Funding: No funding is foreseen for this position at this stage. Chosen candidate may be hired as teaching assistant, or upon his/her performance acquire internal scholarships. The candidate may be funded through external funding sources (research or services).
Research Advisor: Nikolaos Tzortzakis, Assistant Professor, nikolaos.tzortzakis@cut.ac.cy
- One (1) position in: “Postharvest Physiology and Technology of Fresh Produce/ Alternative processing methods and their effects on quality and safety”
Required Qualifications: Bachelor and Master of Science degree in Agricultural Sciences, Food Science/Technology or Food Chemistry or other relevant degree in the area. Applicants should be fluent in English. Previous relevant research experience will be considered.
Candidates will have to support interview for the current position.
Funding: No funding is foreseen for this position at this stage. Chosen candidate may be hired as teaching assistant, or upon his/her performance acquire internal scholarships. The candidate may be funded through external funding sources (research or services).
Research Advisor: Nikolaos Tzortzakis, Associate Professor, nikolaos.tzortzakis@cut.ac.cy;
- One (1) position in: “Exploring the microbiome of dairy products for potential functional/technological properties to be used for added-value products”
Description: Τhe microbiome of dairy products is a source of various microorganisms where they may contribute with their properties (technological or other) to the manufacture of products with functional properties added value (e.g., antimicrobial activity). The use of advanced methods for the analysis and identification of these microbiomes can also help to create a fingerprint of authenticity, especially of traditional foods.
Required Qualifications: Bachelor and Master of Science degree in, Food Science and Technology, Agricultural Sciences, Dairy Science and Technology, Food Microbiology/Biotechnology or related disciplines. Applicants must have an excellent working knowledge of the English language. Previous relevant research experience will be considered. Candidates will have to support an interview for the current position.
Funding: The candidate can potentially be employed as a teaching assistant, receive an internal scholarship from the University, based on his/her excellence, while he/she can participate in funded research projects which potentially can secure a scholarship.
Research Advisor: Photis Papademas, Associate Professor photis.papademas@cut.ac.cy
- One (1) position in: “Proteomic and expression analysis of genes involved in ruminants lipid metabolism”
Description: Fat quality of dairy products is correlated to consumers’ health. The research aims to study the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolic pathways at both transcriptional and translational level and illustrate the molecular processes determining the content of milk fat in fatty acids related to human health. The research requires a particular interest in the subjects of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and will be conducted in collaboration with Universities and Research Institutes abroad.
Required Qualifications: Candidates are expected to have a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from an accredited University in Agricultural, Animal or Veterinary Sciences or Biology or related disciplines. Applicants should be fluent in English. Previous relevant research experience is highly valued.
Funding: Qualified candidates could be funded as teaching assistants, receive internal scholarships based on excellence when and if available or by participating in funded research grants or provide technical and/or administrative support when needed.
Research Advisor: Despoina Miltiadous, Associate Professor, despoina.miltiadou@cut.ac.cy
- One (1) position in: "Spectroscopic and Chromatographic Study of Bioactive/Anticancer Microcomponents of Olive Oil"
Description: Olive oil constitute the basis of the Mediterranean diet, and is intertwined with the history, development and culture of Cyprus. Although olive oil consists mostly of components such as triglycerides of fatty acids, it also contains notable amounts of microcomponents such as phenolic molecules which have antioxidant, chemotherapeutic and anticancer properties. Methodologies for their isolation will be developed while characterization studies will be conducted using mainly chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques.
Required Qualifications: Candidates for the above position should hold a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from an accredited University in one of the following fields: Chemistry, Food Chemistry, Food Science or other related discipline. Previous relevant research experience will be considered. In addition, candidates must have a very good command of the English language. The evaluation may also include a personal interview of the candidates.
Funding: Qualified candidates may be funded as teaching assistants, receive on the basis of their excellence whenever and if internal scholarships are awarded by the university, as well as from research programs that may secure her/him a scholarship
Research Supervisor: Chryssoula Drouza, Associate Professor, chryssoula.drouza@cut.ac.cy
- One (1) position in: “The use of alternative forage plants and pastoralism in Cyprus. Research into animal physiology, productivity of sheep and goats, quality of the products and the socio-economic factors that this entails"
Description: The purpose of the research project is to study the use of alternative forage plants in ruminant nutrition both for the improvement of the end-products (e.g. halloumi) and for the multiple effects this has on the environment, the soil and the local community. Thus, a part of the research concerns the use of pastures and forage pastures, as applied today in Cyprus, while the main part of the research concerns field experiments with new cultivation practices (e.g. no-tillage), with alternative plants (forage legumes, mixtures) adapted to dry climates for forage production and use in ruminants. Τhis PhD investigates (a) possible alternative forage plants and their cultivation methods in Cyprus, (b) their use for feeding ruminants, to create special products (eg grass-fed halloumi) (c ) the effect they may have on their digestive physiology, the quantity/quality of milk, as well as on the expression of genes involved in metabolism, and (d) the overall effect that this use of alternative plants has on social, economic and environmental level (quality local products, reduction of feed imports, increased forage production and carbon sequestration, soil health and improved water retention, etc.).
Required Qualifications: Applicants for the above post must possess a Bachelor's and Master's Degree (or only a Bachelor's Degree with a grade above 8.5/10) from a recognized University in one of the following fields: General Agriculture or Animal Production or Crop Production or Veterinary Medicine or Biology or other related field and want to carry out research on alternative forage plants and ruminants. In addition, candidates must have a very good knowledge of the Greek and English languages (level C1-C2), a driving license while previous research experience is considered an additional qualification.
Funding: The candidate may potentially be employed as a teaching assistant, receive merit-based internal scholarship from the University or other source, and may participate in funded research projects or fieldwork that may earn them a scholarship.
The candidate(s) will receive a monthly stipend that will cover accommodation and living expenses from external funding secured within the framework of the research project PRIMA, and may potentially be employed as a teaching assistant, or receive, based on excellence, an internal scholarship from the University or other source.
Research Advisor: Ouranios Tzamaloukas Associate Professor, ouranios.tzamaloukas@cut.ac.cy
