PhD Student Position in Evolutionary Biology , Switzerland

Eawag is the Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, a Swiss-based and internationally operating aquatic research institutewithin the ETH domain.

The Department Aquatic Ecology (group of Piet Spaak) seeks a

PhD student in Evolutionary Biology

The PhD student will participate in a collaborative research project with Juliane Hollender (Environmental Chemistry, Eawag) and Flavio Anselmetti (Sedimentology, Eawag) to study the invasion of Daphnia during the past 100 years in lakes north and south of the Swiss Alps, using genetic information from diapausing eggs buried in lake sediments. Furthermore, by hatching Daphnia from past layers we want to study experimentally the role of contaminants on the success of Daphnia taxa (resurrection ecology). This study aims to blend the excellent research facilities both in environmental chemistry and evolutionary biology at Eawag. Another PhD student in the project studies the fate of pollutants over time in sediment cores of the same lakes. The focus of this project will be on
evolutionary aspects.

For this project, financed by the Swiss Science foundation, we are looking for a highly motivated candidate with interests in evolutionary biology, population genetics and environmental disturbance. Although field work is also involved, most of the work will be done in the lab (conducting experiments and screening diapausing eggs using molecular tools). Some of the work on lakes south of the Alps might be done in Italy.

We offer a stimulating research environment in a lively and social institute in Dübendorf (near Zürich) in a department with several other evolutionary and ecological research groups. The position will be for a period of three years, and should start as soon as possible (September 2009 or soon thereafter). The ideal candidate has both experimental as well as molecular skills (PCR, genotyping). A Diploma or Masters degree (or equivalent) in biology or related subject is necessary for admission. The working language in the group is English.

Applications should include a letter of interest with a description of pertinent experience, curriculum vitae, a list of publications (if any), the names (with e-mail addresses) of two potential referees, and copies of certificates of academic qualifications.

Please submit your application by 7 August 2009 as one single PDF file to Sandra Isenring, Eawag, Human Resources Department: recruiting-at-eawag.ch, indicating reference number 094402. For further information, consult www.eawag.ch or contact Piet Spaak (Tel. +41 44 823 5617) spaak-at-eawag.ch.