2 PhD positions in Palaeoecology / mountain lake ecology

Your position

The two PhD students will conduct fieldwork in extensive field campaigns sampling Swiss mountain lakes with support of other research group members. They will collect water chemistry, observational and recent historical data and obtain short sediment cores encompassing sediments deposited during recent decades. Palaeoecological analyses will focus on identifying aquatic invertebrate remains, with one position concentrating on cladocerans and the other on chironomids, as well as on analyzing carbon isotopes in chitinous invertebrate structures. Together with other proxy data, this will result in high-resolution reconstructions of ecosystem change at these sites during the recent past. Work will take place in close collaboration with other research group members and researchers from other institutions. The project is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) and salaries will follow SNF guidelines (www.snf.ch ).

Your profile

Applicants should hold an MSc in Earth or Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography, Ecology, Quaternary Science, Palaeoecology, or a related field. Experience in palaeolimnology, palaeoecology, limnology, microfossil analysis and/or sediment work would be an advantage. Candidates should be motivated to conduct fieldwork in alpine environments, hold a valid driver's license and have good English language skills. Good communication and organizational skills and willingness to work in a team environment are essential.