The Department of Aquatic Ecology (Eawag, Switzerland) and the Department of Ecohydrology (EPFL Lausanne, Switzerland) seek a PhD student in Ecology and Ecohydrology.
Project title: Experimental and theoretical evaluations of travelling waves of organisms spreading in differently structured aquatic systems. The PhD student will participate in a collaborative research project with Dr. Florian Altermatt (Aquatic Ecology, Eawag) and Prof. Dr. Andrea Rinaldo (Ecohydrology, EPFL) to experimentally study travelling waves of aquatic organisms in landscapes of different structures. Understanding the spread of organisms in natural landscapes is a central issue of ecology and is currently receiving a large theoretical interest. We will use microcosm-system with protozoans, in which the propagation front can be accurately measured in the laboratory. These estimates are then used to parametrize a broad class of models. Ultimately, we want to get a more comprehensive understanding of the spread of organisms, such as disease vectors or invasive species, in bifurcating waterways and rivers. For this project, financed by Eawag, we are looking for a highly motivated candidate with interests in ecology, ecohydrology and river network dynamics. The project combines laboratory microcosm-experiments with protozoans and mathematical modeling. We offer a stimulating research environment in lively and social institutes in Dübendorf (near Zürich) and in Lausanne. At both localities, the departments host other research groups in ecology and ecohydrology. The position will be for a period of three years, and should start as soon as possible (June 2011 or soon thereafter). The PhD student will be enrolled at EPFL, but the lab- and working-environment is shared between the two localities (i.e., a large part of the PhD will be done in Dübendorf, the other part in Lausanne). The ideal candidate has good experimental skills and/or a strong background in quantitative modeling. Excellent communicational and writing skills in English, good work ethics, and creative thinking are desired. A Diploma or Masters degree (or equivalent) in biology, physics or related subject is necessary for admission. The working language in the groups 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 three potential referees, and copies of certificates of academic qualifications. Applications must be submitted with the online-application tool, using the following link: http://internet1.refline.ch/673277/0028/++publications++/1/index.html Please submit your application by 10 April 2011. For further information, consult www.eawag.ch http://www.eawag.ch/about/personen/homepages/altermfl/index_EN http://www.epfl.ch/ http://echo.epfl.ch/page-12889.html or contact Florian Altermatt (Tel. +41 58 765 55 92) florian.alterm...@eawag.ch Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, is a Swiss-based internationally active research institute within the ETH Domain (ETH Zurich and EPFL). It is committed to the ecologically, economically and socially responsible management of water. EPFL is the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. Its mission are education, research and technology transfer at the highest international level.
