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Entdeckt für euch von Zoobot
The Plant Ecology Group at ETH Zürich is seeking an enthusiastic PhD candidate to study
the factors underlying the success of assisted migration of mountain plants that are
threatened by climate change. The PhD candidate will be based in the Plant Ecology Group
at ETH Zürich (Prof. Jake Alexander), and work collaboratively with the Ecology Group at
University of Basel (Prof. Sabine Rumpf), and the Flore-Alpe Alpine Botanical Garden (Prof.
Christophe Randin).
Climate change is shifting the spatial distribution of suitable habitat for all species, but the
vast majority of mountain plant species is not keeping pace with climatic changes by
dispersing fast enough to higher elevations. Assisted migration might become a critical
component of ecological restoration and conservation to help slow or halt extinctions due to
climate change. Yet in Switzerland, as elsewhere, policies on assisted migration are only
now being considered, and we lack key knowledge and experience to maximize the success
of assisted migration projects.
The PhD candidate will work within a larger project involving scientists, policy makers from
federal and cantonal administration, and practitioners from conservation and industry, with
the overarching goal of establishing guidelines and launching an assisted migration
programme for mountain plants in Switzerland that are threatened by climate change. The
role of the PhD candidate will be to collect ecological data allowing an assessment of the
reasons for rarity and ecological (niche, range) limits of threatened mountain plants, and use
this knowledge to understand variation in the success of assisted migration projects. Their
tasks will involve collection and statistical analysis of demographic monitoring data in natural
populations, setting-up and running field transplant experiments, and ecological niche
modelling of focal species. The PhD candidate will also have the opportunity to develop their
own analyses within this broad theme. Finally, the PhD candidate is expected to contribute
to group responsibilities (e.g. teaching, outreach, lab activities) within the department and
university.
The ideal candidate has the following attributes:
- Enthusiasm and interest in the scientific background of the project
- Enthusiasm and interest to partake in transdisciplinary research leading to
transformative change - Familiarity with plant identification, propagation and trait measurements
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Commitment to a collegial and inclusive workplace
- Experience with statistical modelling and related programs (e.g. statistical
programming in R) - Field work experience and a valid driver’s license
- Willingness to travel and undertake extended fieldwork for data collection
- Advanced language skills in English (oral and writing)
The Plant Ecology Group at ETH Zürich conducts research on a diversity of topics within
the realm of plant community ecology, including the role of climate, biotic interactions, and
demographic lags in constraining range and community shifts, the drivers and impacts of
biological invasions, the drivers of alpine wildflower phenology, the factors that limit forest
regeneration, and the use of community science for collecting ecological data and engaging
the general public. We conduct projects and maintain long-term experimental and monitoring
studies in alpine and forest field sites in Switzerland and the USA, and collaborate widely
with researchers from around the world. We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity in all our activities, as well as to conducting open and collaborative science.
Please see our website for more information on activities in the research group.
Funding is provided for four years of PhD studies, and starts at 52500 CHF / year (before
taxes), as is standard in the Department of Environmental Systems Sciences (USYS) at
ETH Zürich. All members of the Plant Ecology Group contribute to teaching and mentoring
Bachelors and Masters students. Please see this website for more information on the
doctoral program in the Department of Environmental Systems Sciences (USYS), within
which the Plant Ecology Group is located.
This project specifically offers outstanding opportunities for collaborations at the University of
Basel (PI Rumpf) and the Flore-Alpe Alpine Botanical Garden (PI Randin). Research groups
at ETH Zürich, the adjacent University of Zürich, WSL (the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest,
Snow and Landscape Research) and EAWAG (the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic
Science and Technology) offer numerous additional opportunities for interaction and
collaboration. Zürich is a cosmopolitan city with high living standards and easy access to
research sites, outdoor activities and the rest of Europe.
We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents, each
uploaded as a separate PDF. Please include your last name in the file name (e.g. Aziz-
CV.pdf, Chang-MscDegree.pdf, Meier-MscTranscript.pdf). Please do not provide a cover
letter, but instead answer the questions that are asked in the online application portal
(https://jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG_ethz_xAc6GBevQQcVBuLZQb).
- Resume: Including information on your educational background, scientific
publications and presentations, and any relevant research/work/volunteering
activities. This should not be longer than 4 pages (a 2-page CV is fine if complete). - MSc degree certificate: Including the title of your thesis.
- Transcript: A the list of courses you have taken and the grades your received.
We will begin reviewing applications on 4th August, and we aim to conduct interviews in late
August and make a decision by late September. The ideal start date would be November
2025.
Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through the online application
portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered. Incomplete
applications will also not be evaluated.
Questions regarding the position can be directed to Dr. Jake Alexander (ajake@ethz.ch).
Please include an informative subject (e.g. “Questions about Assisted Migration PhD
position”).