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Wednesday, May 21, 2008

PhD Position Host Parasite Interactions

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

The Department Aquatic Ecology (group of Bas Ibelings) seeks for

PhD student in host-parasite interactions

The PhD student will participate in a collaborative research project GEDIHAP with several other PhD students and host-parasite researchers from the ETH Zürich, the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research, WSL, and Eawag to study the influence of environmental factors (natural and human induced) on host - parasite interactions. In the project the impact of 2 environmental stress factors (climate change and water pollution) on the population dynamics and co-evolution of the diatom Asterionella formosa and parasitic chytrid fungi is studied.

For this, from CCESS (Competence Center Environment and Sustainability of the ETH Domain) financed project, we are looking for a highly motivated candidate with an interest in evolutionary biology, population genetics and host-parasite interactions. The research is balanced mixture of field and lab based studies, experiments will be done under controlled conditions in the lab as well as under natural conditions in lakes. Hosts and parasites will be screened using molecular tools like microsatellites, which are available for both. Part of the work will be done in the Netherlands.

We offer a stimulating research environment in a lively and social institute in Kastanienbaum (near Luzern) and Dübendorf (near Zürich) in a department with several other evolutionary and ecological research groups with a focus on host parasite interactions. The PhD candidate will be actively involved in workshops and courses organized within the GEDIHAP framework. The position will be for a period of three years, and should start as soon as possible (August 2008 or soon thereafter). The ideal candidate has both experimental as well as molecular skills (PCR, sequencing, genotyping). A Diploma or Master 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 address) of two potential references, and copies of the certificates of academic qualifications.

Please submit your application by 1 June 2008 as one PDF file to Sandra Isenring, Eawag, Human Resources Department: recruiting@eawag.ch, indicating reference number 084401. For further information, consult http://www.cces.ethz.ch/projects/feh/GEDIHAP or contact Bas Ibelings (Tel + 41 41 349 2174), bas.ibelings@eawag.ch

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