What will you learn as a PhD student?

Field sampling and plant propagation

Sequencing library preparation and bioinformatics to study (epi)genome features

Molecular biology and plant genotyping

Technical skills

Soft skills

• Independent project development

• Critical thinking & problem solving

• Writing manuscripts for publication

• Presenting your work at conferences

• Collaborating with diverse scientists

Apply now!

Looking for a motivated PhD student to join me from August 2026!
Application deadline : January 31st, 2026

Preferred skills for the candidate:

• Background in Plant Biology / General Biology

• Experience with bioinformatics (analysing genomics data) using R, bash/python

• Experience with molecular biology experiments

• Strong fluency in English

• Good organisational skills

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply?

Candidates with a master's degree, having a background in biology / plant biology / molecular biology and an aptitude for bioinformatics.

What will be the topic of the PhD project?

The PhD project will be focused on the functional epigenomics of altitude adaptation in Arabis alpina. To know more about the research questions, read the "Research Areas" section below.

How long is the PhD?

The PhD program at D-USYS, ETH Zürich typically lasts three to four years on average. To know more about the structure of the doctoral programme at D-USYS, click the link below:

Prior experiences necessary?

It would be preferable if the student has worked with plants, has experience with bioinformatics (particularly genomics data) and experience with molecular biology experiments (eg. PCRs, genotyping, cloning, etc.) during previous internships or short-term projects.

Is this PhD funded?

Yes, the position is fully funded until the completion of the student's PhD thesis.

When will the PhD start?

The student can start earliest on August 1st 2026 (preferable), and latest by October 1st 2026.

Who will supervise the PhD student?

The student will be supervised by Thanvi Srikant and Prof. Alex Widmer.