Fully-funded PhD in Evolutionary Biology: Social Plasticity and Adaptation in Stickleback

This fully-funded PhD position in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Bern, Switzerland, focuses on understanding how social plasticity drives adaptation in threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) following their colonization of Greenland's freshwater lakes. The project is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation and offers a unique combination of fieldwork in Greenland and laboratory research in Switzerland, in collaboration with leading researchers at the University of Bern and Eawag. The research aims to investigate the coevolution of social behavior and morphology across multiple stickleback populations, addressing fundamental questions about the pace and predictability of multivariate evolution. The successful candidate will engage in intensive data collection (morphology, behavior, DNA), routine animal care, and lead a common garden experiment. The position offers hands-on mentorship, a supportive lab group, and opportunities to engage with a diverse international research community. Applicants should have a strong background in behavioral ecology, a Master's degree in biology (evolution, ecology), and experience with behavioral experiments. Desirable skills include familiarity with R, Bayesian statistics, automated coding, evolutionary genetics, morphometrics, and prior work with fish or aquatic habitats. The position is open to applicants worldwide, with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. To apply, candidates should send a single PDF including a motivation letter, CV with references, master's thesis or abstract, published papers, and transcripts to Dr. Jordan Martin ([email protected]) by March 27, 2026. For more information, see the LinkedIn announcement or contact Dr. Martin directly.