I am looking for a highly motivated PhD student to work on evolutionary theory. The focus of the project is very broad, and will touch on cooperation and conflict, virulence evolution, ecological-evolutionary feedbacks and the levels-of-selection problem. While the main part of the project will focus on social evolution, with an emphasis on genetic conflicts in microbes, the candidate will be encouraged to develop other interesting projects in other areas of evolutionary ecology. The project will mostly involve evolutionary modelling, but will also involve close collaboration with empiricists. Students who wish to address the problem using experimental/empirical approaches will be encouraged to do so.

Zurich is located less than one hour from the Alps, and is a small but vibrant city that is regarded to have one of the best standards of living in the world. There is a large international community and is well connected to all major European cities.

The successful applicant will be supervised by Dr Daniel Rankin, a theoretical evolutionary biologist interested in a wide range of topics, from social evolution to the link between evolution and ecology. The position will be based in the Wagner Lab in Zurich. The lab is very international and consists of a very diverse range of individuals who work on a wide range of interesting evolutionary topics. We also work closely with other ecology/evolutionary groups in Zurich and abroad.

Candidates with a background in evolution or ecology will be given preference. The candidate should have a diploma/MSc degree and have studied in one of the following fields: evolutionary biology/ecology, mathematics or economics. Experience with modeling will be an advantage, but is not necessary. The working language of the group is English, and knowledge German is very helpful but not necessary.

To apply, please send an E-mail with the applicants cover letter, CV and short (<1 page) statement of research interests and experience in a single pdf file to d.rankin@access.uzh.ch. Please mention ?PhD position" in the subject of e-mail. Please additionally give the names and contact details of two or three people willing to write letters of recommendation. Deadline for applications is Friday 24th April 2009. The position, funded by the Swiss NSF, is available to start immediately and will be for three years. The salary will be in line with University of Zurich policy, which is rather generous.

Further information: Dr Daniel Rankin

E-mail: d.rankin@access.uzh.ch, Tel: +41 44 63 56143