Ph.D. position on Neotropical plant macroevolution and phylogenetics at the University of Lausanne (Switzerland)

*Project description*
The groups of Christian Lexer (University of Fribourg), Michael Kessler
(University of Zurich) and Nicolas Salamin (University of Lausanne) are
opening several positions in their respective labs, funded by the Swiss
National Science Foundation (SNF), to work on the evolutionary and ecological
aspects of speciation. The positions will be part of a large collaborative
project that aims at bringing together ecology (Kessler), population genomics
(Lexer) and phylogenomics (Salamin) to investigate the drivers of species
radiations in several Neotropical plant groups.

In this context, we are looking for candidates that have a strong background
in phylogenetics and evolutionary modeling to test hypotheses about species
diversification and adaptation in tropical plant lineages. Beside the modeling
and bioinformatic component of the project, several months of field work in the
South American tropics will be expected.

*Position characteristics*
The University of Lausanne is a place of teaching and research with around
12’000 students and almost 3’700 collaborators, professors and researchers.
Ideally located on the shore of Lake Geneva and near Lausanne city center, its
campus harbors 120 different nationalities. The position will be in the
Department of Ecology and Evolution, which includes more than 20 research
groups (www.unil.ch/dee) covering a wide range of topics from spatial ecology,
evolution of mating systems and sociality to population genetics and
phylogenetics. The candidate will also be affiliated with the Swiss Institute of
Bioinformatics, which provides all the computational facilities for the
project. Salary is according to the SNF guidelines.

*Requirements*
Applicants should hold a Masters degree or equivalent in biology. Experience
in organismic botany, analytical statistics and evolutionary modeling,
phylogenetics, molecular techniques, scientific writing, and fieldwork are
highly desirable. Excellent knowledge of English, written and oral, is
essential. Knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese will help during field work, but
is not essential.

*How to apply*
Send the following documents as a single pdf file by email to Nicolas Salamin
(nicolas.salamin [at] unil.ch): i) a two-page application letter describing
your research interests, clearly stating why are you interested in the Ph.D.
position, and your career goals; ii) your CV, including a list of publications
(if applicable); iii) names and contact details of at least two referees from
among your academic advisors (who have agreed to be contacted).

*Deadline for applications*
Applications will be screened from December 15th 2013 onwards until the
positions are filled.

*Starting date*
May 1st 2014. Funding, including field and laboratory costs, is available for 3
years.

--
Nicolas Salamin
Department of Ecology and Evolution
Biophore / office 3212
University of Lausanne
1015 Lausanne
Switzerland

tel: +41 21 692 4154
fax: +41 21 692 4165
http://www.unil.ch/phylo

Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics
http://www.isb-sib.ch/groups/Computational_Phylogenetics.htm