Fully-funded PhD Position in Evolutionary Biology: Social Plasticity and Adaptation in Stickleback Fish University of Bern in Switzerland

This fully-funded PhD position in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Bern, Switzerland, focuses on understanding how social plasticity shapes adaptation to novel environments. The research investigates the coevolution of social behavior and morphology in three-spined stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus) following their colonization of a large freshwater lake system in southern Greenland. The successful candidate will collaborate with Dr. Jordan Martin and Dr. Katie Peichel (University of Bern) and Dr. Blake Matthews (Eawag), engaging in both fieldwork in Greenland and laboratory experiments in Switzerland.

The project involves intensive, methodical data collection on morphology, behavior, and DNA, as well as routine animal care and leading a common garden experiment. Students will benefit from hands-on mentorship, a supportive lab group, and engagement with the international scientific community. The position offers a balance of rigorous research and adventure, with three summer field seasons in Greenland and access to world-class research facilities.

Applicants should have a strong background in behavioral ecology, a Master's degree in biology (evolution, ecology), and experience with standardized behavioral experiments. Desirable skills include familiarity with R and Bayesian statistics, automated coding, evolutionary genetics, morphometrics, social evolution, and prior work with fish or aquatic habitats. The lab values diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourages applications from underrepresented groups.

The position is fully funded for four years by the Swiss National Science Foundation. Applications are open worldwide, with a deadline of March 27, 2026. To apply, send a single PDF to Dr. Martin ([email protected]) including a motivation letter, CV, master's thesis or abstract, published papers, and transcripts.