Modeling ecology/evolution of a plant pathogen

PhD position: Modeling ecology/evolution of a plant pathogen, ETH Zurich

***The project***

will explore population dynamics of Zymoseptoria tritici, an important 
fungal pathogen of wheat, using eco-evolutionary modeling and field/lab 
experimentation.

Plant diseases often cause serious yield losses in agriculture. Current 
chemical and genetic technologies used to manage plant diseases are 
highly vulnerable to pathogen evolution and are not sustainable. 
Pathogen evolution is facilitated by the genetic uniformity underlying 
modern agroecosystems. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new, 
efficient and sustainable ways to control plant diseases.

This PhD project intends to make an important contribution towards 
achieving this goal.  The first phase aims at comprehensive 
characterization of both epidemic and evolutionary factors of the 
pathogen by combining eco-evolutionary modeling, field/lab experiments 
and genome sequence analyses. In the second phase the models will be 
used to predict the rate of pathogen adaptation to disease control and 
propose optimal spatio-temporal patterns for applications of fungicides 
and resistant host varieties that can disrupt pathogen adaptation.

***Working conditions***

Plant Pathology group at the Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH 
Zurich offers a creative, collaborative research environment and 
excellent infrastructure (www.path.ethz.ch). Salary is approximately 
48000 Swiss francs per year. Zurich is a vibrant, international and 
green city.

The PhD project is funded for three years by the Ambizione grant from 
the Swiss National Foundation with a possibility of extension for the 
fourth year.

Unique training in mathematical modeling, bioinformatics and field/lab 
experiments increases chances to find a job in academia, industry or 
governmental agencies.

***Requirements***

---Master's/diploma in a quantitative discipline (e.g. physics, 
mathematics or computer science), biology or agricultural/environmental 
sciences.

---Strong interest in mathematical/computational modeling in population 
biology

---Desire to link the models with real-world field experiments and spend 
about 40% of time doing experimental work

---Excellent communication skills in English

---Programming skills, experience in mathematical modeling or 
bioinformatics are important, but optional plus points

***Application***

For more details, please contact Dr. Alexey Mikaberidze by email. Please 
apply as early as possible, at latest February 1st, 2016. Project start: 
April 1st, 2016. To apply, please send Dr. Alexey Mikaberidze as a 
single pdf file

---a motivation letter that describes how your scientific interests and 
qualifications fit this project (1 page)
---a CV
---a copy of the MSc certificate
---arrange 2-3 letters of recommendation to be sent by referees directly 
to Dr. Alexey Mikaberidze via email

Alexey Mikaberidze