We seek highly motivated candidates for one PhD and one postdoctoral position at the Stream Biofilm and Ecosystem Research (SBER) laboratory at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland. The selected candidates will investigate, in the framework of a research project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), climate change effects on the microbial ecology of Alpine streams.
High-mountain streams are highly vulnerable to climate change. The candidates will conduct extensive experiments blended with metagenomics, phenotyping and phylogenetic analyses to unravel adaptive responses of the stream microbiome to climate-induced changes in hydrological and thermal regimes in high-mountain streams.
For both positions, we expect candidates to hold a degree (MSc, PhD) in microbiology, ecology, environmental sciences, or equivalent, and to have strong quantitative skills, independence, self-motivation, and proficiency in English.
The PhD student (four years) will use phylogenetic frameworks to address questions related to climate change impacts on microbial community ecology and assembly processes. The candidate will also measure process rates to shed light on the microbiome functioning, to be paired with metagenomics. We expect the candidate to have very good knowledge in molecular laboratory work and data analysis.
The postdoctoral fellow (three years) will isolate, sequence and phenotype strains from the stream microbiome, and experiment with synthetic communities to gain mechanistic insights into the adaptive capacity of the strains to climate change. We expect the candidate to have advanced competencies in microbiological laboratory work and microbiome analysis, as well as the ability to handle large data sets and conduct bioinformatics analyses.
To be considered, your application must include a motivation letter, list of publications, three reference letters, and a copy of the three most important publications for the postdoctoral candidate. These documents must be submitted as one single pdf to geraldine.gfeller-antille@epfl.ch. Please, contact tom.battin@epfl.ch for any question prior to the submission. We will start screening applications upon arrival. The start date for both positions is October 1st 2021 at latest.
At EPFL, we offer a nurturing environment to study climate change impacts on high-mountain stream ecosystems and microbial ecology (www.glacierstreams.ch, https://metalp.epfl.ch). EPFL is a most dynamic international university ranking among the top 20 universities worldwide. We offer excellent working conditions and competitive remuneration that allows for comfortable living conditions in Switzerland. EPFL is committed to being an equal opportunity employer.