PhD in Ecology (up to 4 years) -80%
Universität Zürich
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Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies
PhD in Ecology (up to 4 years) 80 %
Start of employment 01.07.2025, temporary
The position is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation project “A mechanistic theory of functional responses:
zooming into movement behaviour to understand and predict predator prey interactions”.
Ecological communities are home to many different species that interact with each other. These interactions control
how energy and resources flow through ecosystems, which affects how ecological communities function and maintain
stability. A key factor influencing how populations interact is how the strength of their interactions changes based on
population density. This relationship is called the functional response (FR), and its shape significantly impacts
whether interacting populations will coexist, collapse, or cycle. While functional responses are commonly used in
practical applications (like pest management) and ecological theory (such as food web models), we don't understand how
individual animal movement and behavior create these patterns. To tackle this knowledge gap, our research project
addresses two main challenges:
1. Develop a scalable method that uses movement behavior in both single-prey and multi-prey situations to predict
functional responses across different predator-prey pairs.
2. Understand the mechanisms that change the shape of functional responses and how these changes affect the stability
of the predators and their prey.
Your responsibilities
The PhD student will conduct a series of experiments using microbial predator-prey communities under controlled
laboratory settings using a 3D tracking system. This system facilitates high-resolution, high-throughput measurements
of both individual behaviour and functional responses. The collected data will help to test hypotheses explaining
variation in functional response shapes and serve to parameterize a model that derives the functional response from the
underlying movement behaviour (conducted by the partners at the University of Amsterdam). The project involves frequent
visits and exchanges between UZH and the University of Amsterdam.
Your profile
- Masters Level Degree in Ecology or a closely related subject.
- Knowledge of ecological concepts and theory, particularly those pertinent to movement ecology, community stability,
species interactions and food webs.
- Experience designing, running, and analysing ecological experiments.
- Proficiency in scientific writing.
- Project management skills.
- Ability to work in a team and independently.
- Prior laboratory experience with microbial systems, an interest in quantitative approaches (statistical and
mathematical modelling, programming) and method development (3D tracking) is a plus.
Information on your application
The successful candidate will work in the group of Dr. Frank Pennekamp at the Department of Evolutionary Biology and
Environmental Studies at the University of Zurich. We offer a position in a diverse team of international researchers,
a friendly work environment, and access to state-of-the-art infrastructure. For more information on the research group
of Dr, Frank Pennekamp, please visit our website. The PhD is part of a bilateral SNF funded research project between
UZH and Prof. Benjamin Martin at the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Employment start date to be mutually agreed, preferentially July 2025 or soon thereafter. The employment will be for
up to 4 years.
How to apply:
Please submit your application by 26.5.2025 as a single PDF file to Maja Weilenmann (maja.weilenmann@ieu.uzh.ch). Your
application (in English) should include a cover letter stating your motivation for this position, a CV, and copies of
degrees. Please also include contact information of two people who would be willing to provide a reference letter.
Interviews will be conducted in English.
Please contact Frank Pennekamp (frank.pennekamp@ieu.uzh.ch) if you have any scientific questions regarding this
position.
What we offer
Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers. More
What we offer
Work-Life Balance
- Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
- Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH
More Learning and Development
- Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
- Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich
More Food
- Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
- Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution
More Healthcare
- Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
- Free seasonal flu vaccinations
- Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower
More Discounts
- Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
- Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
- Special conditions on hotel reservations
More Conditions of Employment
- Policies of the UZH
- Most UZH staff are employed according to public law
More International Services
- Support for people from outside Switzerland
More Campuses
- Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
- Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg
More
Location
Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies
Winterthurerstrasse, Zürich, Switzerland
Further information
Questions about the job
Frank PennekampIndependent Group Leader +41 44 635 47 76 Contact Form
Contact question to: Frank Pennekamp
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *I accept the privacy policySend Thank you for your message. We will get
back to you shortly.
Questions about the application procedure
Maja WeilenmannAdministrative assistant +41 44 635 61 24 Contact Form
Contact question to: Maja Weilenmann
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *Ich akzeptiere hiermit die DatenschutzerklärungSend Thank you for your
message. We will get back to you shortly. Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject
areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the
University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent
and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!
More → https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/en/explore/work.html
Please apply via our job portal www.jobs.uzh.ch.
Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject
areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the
University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent
and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More
PhD in Ecology (up to 4 years) 80 %
Start of employment 01.07.2025, temporary
The position is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation project “A mechanistic theory of functional responses:
zooming into movement behaviour to understand and predict predator prey interactions”.
Ecological communities are home to many different species that interact with each other. These interactions control
how energy and resources flow through ecosystems, which affects how ecological communities function and maintain
stability. A key factor influencing how populations interact is how the strength of their interactions changes based on
population density. This relationship is called the functional response (FR), and its shape significantly impacts
whether interacting populations will coexist, collapse, or cycle. While functional responses are commonly used in
practical applications (like pest management) and ecological theory (such as food web models), we don't understand how
individual animal movement and behavior create these patterns. To tackle this knowledge gap, our research project
addresses two main challenges:
1. Develop a scalable method that uses movement behavior in both single-prey and multi-prey situations to predict
functional responses across different predator-prey pairs.
2. Understand the mechanisms that change the shape of functional responses and how these changes affect the stability
of the predators and their prey.
Your responsibilities
The PhD student will conduct a series of experiments using microbial predator-prey communities under controlled
laboratory settings using a 3D tracking system. This system facilitates high-resolution, high-throughput measurements
of both individual behaviour and functional responses. The collected data will help to test hypotheses explaining
variation in functional response shapes and serve to parameterize a model that derives the functional response from the
underlying movement behaviour (conducted by the partners at the University of Amsterdam). The project involves frequent
visits and exchanges between UZH and the University of Amsterdam.
Your profile
- Masters Level Degree in Ecology or a closely related subject.
- Knowledge of ecological concepts and theory, particularly those pertinent to movement ecology, community stability,
species interactions and food webs.
- Experience designing, running, and analysing ecological experiments.
- Proficiency in scientific writing.
- Project management skills.
- Ability to work in a team and independently.
- Prior laboratory experience with microbial systems, an interest in quantitative approaches (statistical and
mathematical modelling, programming) and method development (3D tracking) is a plus.
Information on your application
The successful candidate will work in the group of Dr. Frank Pennekamp at the Department of Evolutionary Biology and
Environmental Studies at the University of Zurich. We offer a position in a diverse team of international researchers,
a friendly work environment, and access to state-of-the-art infrastructure. For more information on the research group
of Dr, Frank Pennekamp, please visit our website. The PhD is part of a bilateral SNF funded research project between
UZH and Prof. Benjamin Martin at the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Employment start date to be mutually agreed, preferentially July 2025 or soon thereafter. The employment will be for
up to 4 years.
How to apply:
Please submit your application by 26.5.2025 as a single PDF file to Maja Weilenmann (maja.weilenmann@ieu.uzh.ch). Your
application (in English) should include a cover letter stating your motivation for this position, a CV, and copies of
degrees. Please also include contact information of two people who would be willing to provide a reference letter.
Interviews will be conducted in English.
Please contact Frank Pennekamp (frank.pennekamp@ieu.uzh.ch) if you have any scientific questions regarding this
position.
What we offer
Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers. More
What we offer
Work-Life Balance
- Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
- Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH
More Learning and Development
- Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
- Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich
More Food
- Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
- Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution
More Healthcare
- Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
- Free seasonal flu vaccinations
- Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower
More Discounts
- Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
- Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
- Special conditions on hotel reservations
More Conditions of Employment
- Policies of the UZH
- Most UZH staff are employed according to public law
More International Services
- Support for people from outside Switzerland
More Campuses
- Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
- Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg
More
Location
Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies
Winterthurerstrasse, Zürich, Switzerland
Further information
Questions about the job
Frank PennekampIndependent Group Leader +41 44 635 47 76 Contact Form
Contact question to: Frank Pennekamp
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *I accept the privacy policySend Thank you for your message. We will get
back to you shortly.
Questions about the application procedure
Maja WeilenmannAdministrative assistant +41 44 635 61 24 Contact Form
Contact question to: Maja Weilenmann
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *Ich akzeptiere hiermit die DatenschutzerklärungSend Thank you for your
message. We will get back to you shortly. Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject
areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the
University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent
and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!
More → https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/en/explore/work.html
Please apply via our job portal www.jobs.uzh.ch.
Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject
areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the
University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent
and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More