Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL
The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL is part of the ETH Domain. Approximately 600 people work on the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on the handling of natural hazards.
The WSL group Phytopathology is part of the Research Unit Forest Health and Biotic Interactions and investigates fungal diseases of forest trees with particular emphasis on invasive pathogens. For the project DiveInBiome (“Diversity and Interactions of the chestnut bark canker mycoBiome“), we are seeking from March 2025 or by agreement, for a
PhD student in Phytopathology (f/m/d)You will investigate the diversity and dynamics of the microbiome (in this case, mycobiome and virome) present in chestnut bark cankers caused by the invasive fungal pathogen Cryphonectria parasitica. For this, you will sample bark cankers in Switzerland and Croatia and characterise their microbiome using a metabarcoding approach. In addition, you will conduct greenhouse experiments to determine how the microbiome changes during a fungal infection, and laboratory experiments to characterise interactions of bark endophytes with the pathogen. Finally, you will present your work at international conferences and publish the results in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The outcome of your study will give novel insights into how the tree bark microbiome reacts to an infection with a virulent bark pathogen.
You have a master's degree with emphasis on phytopathology or microbiology and deep experience in molecular techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing). Knowledge of bioinformatic and statistical analyses for metabarcoding data is advantageous. Good skills in scientific writing in English are essential. You like being part of a dynamic international team. You can work in an autonomous and structured manner and you are dedicated to your work.
Please send your complete application to Michèle Bucher, Human Resources WSL, by uploading the requested documents through our webpage. Applications via email will not be considered. Dr. Simone Prospero +41 (0)44 739 22 48, simone.prospero(at)wsl.ch will be happy to answer any questions or offer further information. WSL is committed to diversity and inclusion as core values. We actively promote gender equality and foster an open, inclusive work environment.