SWITZERLAND: PhD Position in Evolution & Ecology

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to work on evolutionary theory. Specifically, the student will develop models of bacterial and plasmid evolution. Plasmids can transfer horizontally, from bacterium to bacterium, and they seem to carry a biased set of genes, such as those involved in antibiotic resistance or virulence, or genes that promote cooperation with other bacteria. We wish to ask why, and when, such genes should transfer horizontally, rather than integrating themselves into the host chromosome.

The focus of the project is very broad, and will touch on cooperation and conflict, virulence evolution, eco-evolutionary feedbacks and also address the levels-of-selection problem. The project will mostly involve evolutionary modeling, but will also involve close collaboration with empiricists. Students who wish to address the problem using bioinformatics or microbial experiments will be encouraged to do so.

Zurich is located less than one hour from the Alps, and is a small but vibrant city that is regarded to have one of the best standards of living in the world. There is a large international community and is well connected to all major European cities.

The successful applicant will be supervised by Dr Daniel Rankin (www.rankin.sk), a theoretical evolutionary biologist interested in a wide range of topics, from social evolution to the link between evolution and ecology. The position will be based in the Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Group, led by Professor Andreas Wagner (www.bioc.uzh.ch/wagner). The group is very international and consists of a very diverse range of individuals who work on a wide range of interesting evolutionary topics.

The candidate should have a diploma/MSc degree and have studied in one of the following fields: evolutionary biology/ecology, mathematics, microbiology or economics. Experience with modeling will be an advantage, but is not necessary. The working language of the group is English, and knowledge German is very helpful but not necessary.

Application

To apply, please send an E-mail with the applicants cover letter, CV and short (<1 page) statement of research interests and experience in a single pdf file to d.rankin@access.uzh.ch. Please mention PhD position” in the subject of e-mail. Please additionally give the names and contact details of two or three people willing to write letters of recommendation. Deadline for applications is Friday 24th April 2009. The position, funded by the Swiss NSF, is available to start immediately and will be for three years.

Further information: Dr Daniel Rankin (www.rankin.sk)

E-mail: d.rankin@access.uzh.ch, Tel: +41 44 63 56143

For more information about the group in Zurich see: www.bioc.uzh.ch/wagner