The Institute of Ecology and Evolution (Bern) are looking for a PhD candidate merging population genetics and organismic ecology to gain a more mechanistic and evolutionary understanding of invasion ecology. The project focuses on Arion lusitanicus (Spanish slug) that is regarded as one of the hundred most invasive alien species in Europe, and a serious pest in agriculture and gardening. Genetic and ecological approaches will be combined for investigating the history and mechanisms of the ongoing invasion.

The project aims at the identification of invasion and colonization routes of the slug, and at assessing the ecological and evolutionary consequences of the invasion for the native relatives and related ecosystem processes. The project will combine molecular marker development using high-throughput sequencing, DNA sequencing, microsatellite genotyping, as well as experimental approaches including laboratory breeding, competition and field experiments.

We are seeking a highly motivated, independent PhD candidate who is willing to perform fieldwork, molecular laboratory work, and state-of-the-art statistical modelling of genetic and ecological data.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in ecology and evolutionary biology, especially population genetics and phylogeography, and experience with molecular laboratory work and fieldwork. Experience with bioinformatics is a plus but not essential.

A degree equivalent to a biology diploma or M.Sc. and a valid driver's license is required. Good written and spoken English is expected. Some knowledge of German or French would be beneficial for living in Switzerland but it is not necessary. The working language in our institute is English.

You will be supervised by Gerald Heckel (population genetics) and Eva Knop (community ecology). We offer a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities for laboratory work, computational analyses and ecological experiments.

Information on the institute, the University of Bern, or life here in general can be obtained from http://www.iee.unibe.ch and http://bern.ch/. For informal inquiries, please contact gerald.heckel@iee.unibe.ch. The position is funded for three years (pending final approval), and the anticipated starting date is February 1st 2012 or soon thereafter.

Please send your application including a letter outlining your past research, particular motivation for this position and specific experience (max. 2 pages), CV, list of publications (if available), abstract of Master or Diploma thesis and contact details of 2-3 referees in a single (!) pdf file to: gerald.heckel@iee.unibe.ch

PD Dr. Gerald Heckel Computational and Molecular Population Genetics (CMPG)
Institute of Ecology and Evolution Baltzerstr. 6

CH-3012 Bern - Switzerland
Tel. +41 031 631 30 29
Fax +41 031 631 45 11
email: gerald.heckel@iee.unibe.ch