PhD Candidate / PhD Candidate

PhD Position to Study Epigenomic Diversity and Altitude Adaptation in Arabis alpina

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Plant Ecological Genetics (PEG) group at the Institute of Integrative Biology, led by Prof. Alex Widmer, investigates plant ecology, genetics, and evolution to explore biodiversity among plants and fungi. Our group comprises several research teams focusing on diverse topics, including altitude adaptation genomics, plant physiology, herbariomics of historical plant specimens, and genetic diversity monitoring across various plant and fungal species. Our teams maintain close collaboration and engage in joint projects and field experiments.

Starting August 2026, Dr. Thanvi Srikant will join our group as an Ambizione Fellow (grant awarded by the Swiss National Science Foundation) to establish her independent research team, the "Epigenome Diversity Lab." She will investigate epigenomic signatures associated with high-altitude adaptation in the alpine plant Arabis alpina and is seeking a motivated PhD student to join her team.

Project Background

High altitudes are generally characterized by reduced atmospheric pressure, lower temperatures, increased radiation, and prolonged periods of snow coverage. How do plants thriving in these conditions manage to adapt?

Epigenomic features, such as DNA methylation and chromatin modifications, can significantly influence gene expression without any genetic changes, enabling these stationary plants to adapt to fluctuating environments. By exploring epigenomic landscapes across and within plant species, we can uncover the mechanisms plants employ to fine-tune gene regulation and local adaptation.

The Epigenome Diversity Lab will focus on the alpine plant Arabis alpina, which thrives in a range of ecological niches and altitudes (from 500 meters to 2900 meters above sea level). This species is notably abundant in the Swiss Alps. The research will concentrate on:

• Characterizing genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic variation in natural populations of Arabis alpina from different altitudes
• Investigating the association between epigenomic features and local environments
• Assessing the stability of epigenomic features across varying growth environments and generations

For more information about epigenomes, Arabis alpina, and Dr. Srikant's academic background, please visit the Epigenome Diversity Lab website.

Job Description

We are looking for a PhD candidate to work on the project "Functional Epigenomics of High-Altitude Adaptation in Arabis alpina", commencing in August 2026. The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr. Thanvi Srikant and Prof. Alex Widmer. The position will be fully funded until the completion of the student's PhD thesis.

The PhD program at D-USYS (Department of Environmental Systems Science), ETH Zurich, typically spans three to four years. PhD students are expected to conduct research, engage in their studies, and fulfill a limited teaching role.

We seek a candidate who is:

• Enthusiastic about learning new skills and techniques from supervisors and collaborators
• Self-motivated for independent literature review and hypothesis generation
• Diligent in documenting their lab and bioinformatics work
• Open to learning from mistakes and aims for high scientific rigor and integrity

The student can start as early as August 1, 2026 (preferred) and no later than October 1, 2026.

Candidate Profile

We highly encourage candidates with the following qualifications to apply:

• Background in Plant Biology or General Biology
• Fluency in English
• Experience with bioinformatics (analyzing genomic data) using R, Bash, or Python
• Experience with molecular biology experiments
• Strong organizational skills

Workplace

The successful candidate will benefit from:

• Field sampling and plant propagation in the greenhouse
• Molecular biology experiments and sequencing library preparation
• Analyzing sequencing datasets using bioinformatics tools (a central component of the project)

Additionally, the student will be guided in developing:

• Independence in project development
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Manuscript writing skills and understanding the publication process
• Abilities to present research at conferences

Dr. Thanvi Srikant is dedicated to fostering a collaborative work environment and mentoring the PhD student for a successful academic career. The student will be encouraged to participate in workshops and training opportunities and engage in discussions on broad scientific literature. Regular meetings with the PEG group and scientific colloquia at the Institute of Integrative Biology will also be part of the experience.

The student will have access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, including the Genetic Diversity Centre (providing various equipment for high-throughput sequencing library preparation), plant growth chambers, and greenhouse facilities at the ETH Research Station for Plant Science. This role also offers an interdisciplinary research environment at the Institute of Integrative Biology.

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

At ETH Zurich, we are committed to promoting an inclusive culture. We uphold equality of opportunity, value diversity, and cultivate a working and learning environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Sustainability is a core principle for us as we work towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We!

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents by January 31, 2026:

• Curriculum Vitae, including names and contact information of 1-2 referees
• Copy of Bachelor's and Master's degree certificates
• A short motivation letter (maximum 1 page) detailing your experiences relevant to this PhD position

For further inquiries regarding the position, please contact Dr. Thanvi Srikant via email at thanvi.srikant@biol.ethz.ch.

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

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading universities specializing in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research, and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries find our university to be a platform for independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located at the heart of Europe, we forge global connections as we work together to devise solutions for today's and tomorrow's global challenges.