PhD Candidate in Conservation Biology / PhD Candidate in Conservation Biology

PhD Position in Conservation Biology

The Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, alongside the Division of Umweltsystembiologie, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Switzerland, is offering a PhD position in conservation biology.

Tasks

The selected candidate will utilize predictive spatial models to identify future proglacial alluvial habitats and forecast their biodiversity values, assessing potential risks associated with infrastructure development (e.g., renewable energy). Responsibilities will also include the development of a biodiversity indicator for high-alpine alluvial zones and analyzing how this indicator's values fluctuate under varying environmental conditions (e.g., elevation, microhabitat structure).

The primary goal of this PhD project is to create a hierarchical ranking of Swiss alpine landscapes based on their conservation value and vulnerability to infrastructure development. This ranking will inform future management decisions regarding these alluvial areas. Additionally, the candidate will provide guidelines for effective in situ management aimed at preserving and enhancing biodiversity.

Active participation in weekly lab meetings is expected, along with presenting research findings in both scientific and layman's terms, as well as at national and international conferences. The PhD student will contribute to teaching by cosupervising BSc and MSc projects related to the topic and will also handle some minor administrative duties.

Requirements

• MSc degree in biology or a related field
• Strong interest in conservation science, environmental management, and spatial analyses
• Knowledge of alpine or alluvial habitats, advanced statistical techniques, R, or spatial tools (GIS analyses) is advantageous but not mandatory
• Proficient in English; knowledge of French and/or German is a plus for stakeholder engagement

The Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the University of Bern and the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Basel are committed to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in ecology and evolution, especially encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.

Conditions

This position offers a salary in line with Swiss National Science Fund (SNSF) guidelines for PhD students, which is approximately CHF 47,000 gross annual salary. The position will commence in November 2025 and has a duration of three years.

While administratively hosted at the University of Bern, the candidate will primarily engage with the team in Basel, especially following the retirement of Prof. Raphaël Arlettaz. The candidate will have access to the CUSO PhD doctoral program and various postgraduate training opportunities at the University of Basel.

How to Apply

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.