Phd Position in Modelling Spatial - Schweiz - Eawag

Eawag

Geprüftes Unternehmen

Schweiz

vor 1 Woche

Geschrieben von:

Lena Schneider

beBee Recruiter

Beschreibung

Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, is an internationally networked aquatic research institute within the ETH Domain (Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology).

Eawag conducts research, education and expert consulting to achieve the dual goals of meeting direct human needs for water and maintaining the function and integrity of aquatic ecosystems.

The Altermatt lab at the Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies (IEU) of University of Zurich and the Department of Aquatic Ecology of Eawag has a vacancy for a

PhD position in modelling spatial environmental-ecological processes in river networks (4 years)

The position is fully funded for four years, and will be based, under the direct supervision of Dr Luca Carraro, in the group of Prof.

Dr Florian Altermatt.

The PhD project is part of the Ambizione project "Integrating hydrology and environmental DNA to advance monitoring of freshwater biodiversity" led by Dr Luca Carraro and funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.

The successful applicant will be a student at the University of Zurich and be part of the PhD Program in Ecology.

Assessing spatial biodiversity patterns is a central theme in ecology.

Species distributions are driven by energy and material inputs, medium fluxes, environmental disturbances, and species interactions, and exhibit spatial structures or gradients in association to the landscape inhabited.

In particular, river networks are characterized by a tight link between their landscape features and the patterns of communities that they host, because of their highly spatially structured habitat, their gradients in physical and hydraulic properties and their peculiar, dendritic-like connectivity that constrains species dispersal and resource flows.

The specific focus of this project will be on developing and enhancing models of riverine metacommunities and meta-ecosystems that integrate physical and biological viewpoints, in order to provide a holistic understanding of biodiversity in river networks.

The project will be built on theoretical analyses, computer simulations as well as analysis of existing datasets including direct organismal observations and environmental DNA (eDNA) data collected in rivers (see also Carraro et al.

2020, Nat. Commun.).

The project will fit in the wider range of research conducted in the Altermatt lab, involving metacommunity and meta-ecosystem ecology, freshwater ecology, and eDNA techniques.

While not all of these are part of this project, the student is encouraged to link to these capacities and wider interests of the lab.

Competitive applicants should have strong quantitative and modelling skills, and previous experience in community/ecosystem ecology, spatial dynamics, hydrology or ecohydrology.

They will be highly motivated, enthusiastic and independent persons with a passion for science.

They must have a good conceptual understanding of theoretical and modelling approaches, either in the field of ecology or (eco-)hydrology, and willingness to rapidly become knowledgeable about the other field.

Excellent programming skills (preferably in the R or Matlab environment). Excellent communication and writing skills in English, good work ethics and creative thinking are a must. A Master level degree (or equivalent) in natural sciences is necessary for admission. The working language in the group is English.

The Altermatt lab has a shared base at University of Zurich and at Eawag. It offers a stimulating and international research environment, excellent research facilities and a lively and social working place.

Zurich hosts many other research groups in ecology and biodiversity research, and is among the world's leading cities in terms of science, culture and quality of life.

For further information, directly contact Dr Luca Carraro

University of Zurich and Eawag are both committed to promoting diversity and equal opportunities for underrepresented minorities, and to support the compatibility of family and work.

Applications from women are especially welcome.