The Plant Ecology Group at ETH Zürich is seeking a doctoral student to study why mountain plant species are failing to shift their ranges fast enough to track climate change. The candidate will be based in the Plant Ecology Group at ETH Zürich, Switzerland, and work in close collaboration with the Hargreaves Lab at McGill University, Canada. The project focuses on closing key knowledge gaps about the mechanisms underlying plant range shifts in mountains, using global, standardized experiments and detailed studies in the Swiss Alps and Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Tasks
- Set up and run field transplant and greenhouse experiments.
- Collect and statistically analyse ecological data to quantify plant demography and long-distance seed dispersal by animals.
- Develop own research questions within the broader topic of the project.
- Contribute to tasks and responsibilities within the research group and department, such as teaching, outreach, and lab activities.
Requirements
- MSc in ecology or a related field.
- High self-motivation.
- Ability to manage time effectively.
- Commitment to a collegial and inclusive workplace.
- Proven skills in statistical modelling (e.g. mixed models, statistical programming in R) and in scientific writing.
- Eagerness and ability to engage in extended periods of field work, sometimes in remote areas and under challenging conditions.
- Advanced language skills in English (oral and writing), and ability to write efficiently and effectively.
- Professionalism and academic integrity.
- Experience conducting ecological research under field and greenhouse conditions (can also be acquired during the project).
- Familiarity with plant identification, propagation, and trait measurements (can also be acquired during the project).
- A valid driver's license and ability to drive on steep mountain roads (can also be acquired during the project).
Benefits
- Outstanding opportunities for collaborations, including the possibility of research stays at McGill University.
- Interaction and collaboration with research groups at ETH Zürich, University of Zürich, WSL, and EAWAG.
- Participation in projects and long-term experimental and monitoring studies in alpine and forest field sites in Switzerland and the USA.
- Commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity in all activities.
- Open and collaborative scientific environment.
- All members contribute to teaching and mentoring Bachelors and Masters students.
- Zürich offers high living standards and easy access to research sites, outdoor activities, and the rest of Europe.
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Das Team
The doctoral student will work within the Plant Ecology Group at ETH Zürich and collaborate closely with the Hargreaves Lab at McGill University and international partners from the Mountain Invasion Research Network (MIREN). All group members contribute to teaching and mentoring students, and the team is committed to open, collaborative, and inclusive science.