Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL Zürcherstrasse 111 CH-8903 Birmensdorf Tel. +41-1-739 21 11 Fax +41-1-739 22 15 www.wsl.ch
The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL is part of the ETH Domain. Approximately 500 people work on topics related to the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on an integrated approach to handling natural hazards. The Research Unit Community Ecology studies patterns and processes in plant and animal communities, their dynamics, in particular in relation to impacted ecosystems. For the project SUBFUNC "Effect of subordinate plant species on plant and soil community structure and ecosystem function" the Subunit Restoration Ecology with location in Lausanne is looking for a PhD - Student in plant community ecology You will set up the field manipulative experiment and carry out the vegetation relevés, measurements of soil functioning (respiration, litter decomposition), and laboratory analyses (soil nutrients, microbial C and N, plant N and P). Soil microorganisms analyses (testate amoebae, bacteria, flagellates) and PLFA and CLPP analyses will be done in collaboration with a Post-doc and some other colleagues at WSL. Your qualifications: M.Sc. degree in biology, preferably with a thesis topic in community ecology and/or functional ecology in terrestrial ecosystems, good English communication and writing skills. Practical experience in plant ecology, functional ecology, vegetation and soil analysis and statistical analysis will be of advantage. You work cooperatively in an interdisciplinary team effort and wish to take initiatives and go at work with ambition. Interested? Please send your complete application, including photo, brief description of M.Sc. thesis work as well as list of publication, using reference number 519 to Mrs. Monika Huber, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Human Resources, Zuercherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland. Prof. Alexandre Buttler, tel. +41 (0)21 693 39 39 will be happy to answer any questions or offer further information. Human Resources, February 5, 2008
