PhD estudiando hormigas genéticamente modificadas en Suiza

PhD position at Lausanne University

I am looking to recruit a highly motivated PhD student to work on disease transmission in ant social networks at the Department of Ecology and Evolution (DEE) of Lausanne University, Switzerland. The position is fully funded for three years and starts in August 2017.

The successful candidate will work with a novel system, the queenless
clonal raider ant Ooceraea biroi (formerly: Cerapachys biroi), to
investigate the properties of social groups that increase resistance to
pathogens (fungi, nematodes). The unusual biology of this species
allows us to precisely control and replicate aspects of colony
composition (e.g. size, genetic and demographic structure) that are
thought to modulate interaction network structure, and therefore,
disease spread. The student will use newly developed techniques for
automated behavioral tracking in combination with experimental
infections and/or molecular methods (RNAseq/qPCR) to study how ant
colonies of different composition regulate behavior and immune function
at the individual and group levels, and how this affects disease
spread. Within this framework, the student will also be encouraged to
develop her/his own research questions.

Candidates should have a Master's degree (or equivalent) and a
background in evolution/ecology, behavior, epidemiology, systems
biology or other relevant field. Motivation, curiosity, and an ability
to work independently are essential. Experience working with social
insects, programming, or standard wet-lab techniques would be
advantageous but are not necessary. The working language of the group
is English; proficiency with French is helpful but not required.

The successful applicant will join an international, interactive
department with 20 groups working on a wide range of topics in
evolution and ecology, including other labs working on social insects.
Lausanne is a small but vibrant city located on the shore of Lake
Geneva, less than one hour from the Alps. There are large student and
international communities and the city is well connected to all major
European cities.

To apply, please send a CV, a short ( < 1 page) cover letter describing
your background and interests, and the name and contact information of
2-3 persons willing to provide recommendations to Yuko Ulrich
(yuko.ulrich@gmail.com) by the end of March. Informal inquiries are
also welcome.

Yuko Ulrich (main supervisor)

Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior (current address)

The Rockefeller University, New York

http://lab.rockefeller.edu/kronauer/members

Useful links:

Lab webpage: https://www.ulrichlab.com/

DEE at Lausanne University: https://www.unil.ch/dee/en/home.html

The system:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/23/science/gene-modified-ants.html