PhD Scholarships in Agroecosystems: Two fully-funded PhD positions are available at Prof. Pengjuan Zu’s group at the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, focusing on plant-insect chemical communication within agroecosystems. The positions integrate field research and theoretical modeling to address sustainability challenges in agriculture, aiming to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
PhD Scholarships in Plant-Insect Communication for Sustainable Agroecosystems
Designation:
PhD Scholar
Research Area:
Plant-Insect Chemical Communication, Sustainable Agriculture, Agroecology
Location:
University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Eligibility/Qualification:
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in ecology, evolutionary biology, chemical ecology, mathematics, or a related field.
- Experience or interest in field data collection and mathematical modeling.
- Skills in plant metabolite analysis and/or programming (e.g., R, Python) are an advantage.
- Strong communication and writing skills in English.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within an international team.
Job Description:
The selected PhD candidates will participate in an interdisciplinary project exploring plant-insect communication to support sustainable and resilient agroecosystems in organic polyculture farming systems. The research combines empirical studies and theoretical modeling to understand how chemical communication can enhance ecosystem productivity while preserving biodiversity. Candidates are encouraged to take an active role in project development and may pursue related side projects.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should submit a single PDF file to jobs@information-ecology.com including:
- A 1-page motivation letter detailing relevant experience and skills.
- A CV with any publications.
- Contact details for two academic referees.
Please reference “PHD_SusAgr_UniNE” in the email subject line.
Last Date to Apply:
The review of applications will begin on December 1, 2024, and continue until the positions are filled.
Contact for Questions:
Prof. Pengjuan Zu
Email: Pengjuan.zu@gmail.com
For more details, visit the research group homepage: informationecology.github.io/research
