PhD position on evolutionary biology of alpine plants University of Neuchatel, Switzerland

PhD position on evolutionary biology of alpine plants
University of Neuchatel, Switzerland

How readily do resistance traits to climatic extremes evolve? -The goal
of this project is to investigate the rates of adaptation of traits
associated with living at low or high elevations. The research will
involve sampling plants in the Alps, assessing climate-stress resistance
traits under common garden conditions, and conducting phylogenetic
comparative analysis of these traits. The candidate should have an
eager interest in plants and their evolution, a strong background in
quantitative thinking, experimental design, statistical analysis, and
enthusiasm for fieldwork in the high Alps.

The project is a collaboration with the University of Z�rich and the
University of Heidelberg, Germany, so there is an opportunity to visit
those places during the project.

The project is based at the Institute of Biology at Neuchatel,
Switzerland. The Institute consists of a dozen groups working in diverse
fields of ecology, evolution, physiology, and molecular biology (
http://www2.unine.ch/biol/ ). The University, in collaboration with CUSO
(the Universities of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg), offers outstanding
PhD programs in evolutionary biology ( http://biologie.cuso.ch/accueil/
). The position is financed by the Canton of Neuchatel for 4 years. The
position comes with some teaching expectations (eight one-day Botany
excursions per year and 30 hours of Botany pracs). For more information,
contact Yvonne Willi (yvonne.willi@unine.ch).

Applicants must have a university degree in the natural sciences that
allows entrance to a PhD program (ideally in evolutionary biology or
ecology), and very good organizational, analytical, and scientific
writing skills. Motivated applicants should submit (1) a one-page
letter that summarizes interests and relevant experience, (2) their CV,
(3) copies of undergraduate and masters/diploma transcripts, and (4)
contact information of two references (all as a ***single PDF***) to:
yvonne.willi@unine.ch. Applications are welcome until the position is
filled. First reviewing starts on September 10, 2014.

WILLI Yvonne