PhD Position in Plant Epigenomics and Altitude Adaptation at ETH Zurich ETH Zurich in Switzerland

The Plant Ecological Genetics (PEG) group at the Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, is offering a fully funded PhD position in the Epigenome Diversity Lab, led by Dr. Thanvi Srikant and Prof. Alex Widmer. The research focuses on studying epigenomic diversity and altitude adaptation in the alpine plant Arabis alpina. The project aims to characterize genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic variation in natural populations of Arabis alpina from different altitudes, investigate associations between epigenome features and local environments, and assess the stability of these features across environments and generations.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, working closely with other research teams in the PEG group. The PhD program at the Department of Environmental Systems Science (D-USYS), ETH Zurich, typically lasts three to four years and includes research, study, and limited teaching duties. The student will develop technical skills in field sampling, plant propagation, molecular biology, sequencing library preparation, and bioinformatics analysis. Additional training will be provided in project development, critical thinking, manuscript writing, and scientific presentation.

Applicants should have a background in Plant Biology or General Biology, fluency in English, experience with bioinformatics (R, bash, python), and molecular biology experiments. Good organizational skills and motivation for independent research are essential. The position is fully funded, with access to advanced lab facilities, including the Genetic Diversity Centre and plant growth chambers at the ETH Research Station for Plant Science.

ETH Zurich is a world-leading university in science and technology, promoting diversity, sustainability, and an inclusive academic environment. The application deadline is January 31st, 2026. Required documents include a CV, degree certificates, and a motivation letter. Applications must be submitted through the ETH Zurich online portal. For questions, contact Dr. Thanvi Srikant at [email protected].