PhD position (Doctorant FNS) in plant ecological genetics

Introduction

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

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Presentation

The Group of Prof. Pannell is proposing a PhD position (Doctorant FNS) in plant ecological genetics at the Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Switzerland. The graduate assistant will join a dynamic team working mainly on the ecological and evolutionary genetics of plants. For more information, see: https://www.unil.ch/fbm/en/home/menuinst/recherche/ssf/dee/recherche/pannell-lab.html

Job information

Expected start date in position: 01.10.2026 or to be agreed

Contract length : The initial contract is for 1 year, up to a maximum of 4 years in total

Activity rate: 100%

Workplace: Lausanne-Dorigny

Your responsibilities

The PhD candidate will join a lab working on various aspects of the evolutionary and ecological genetics of plants, with foci on the evolution of local adaptation and of plant sexual systems. The student’s project will develop these themes and will be specified according to the student’s particular interests. 

The job description stipulates:

70% Personal research

25% Participation to teaching activities and master student supervision

5% Maintenance of lab equipment or other institutional tasks.

Your qualifications

We are seeking candidates with a MSc in Biology and with a strong interest in plant evolutionary ecology and population genetics. The working language in the group and in the department is English for all scientific matters but knowledge in French would be a plus even if not mandatory. 

Your interpersonal skills

• Ability to plan research goals with other team members and work to strict deadlines


• Good cooperative skills with other researchers and team members


• Good communication skills, ability to keep an open-mind, ability to communicate your ideas to others


• Be motivated and be able to motivate others

What the position offers you

We enjoy a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment, with opportunities for professional and continuous training. The Department of Ecology and Evolution in Lausanne University hosts research groups working on a broad range of topicsand study systems. The campus is located on the shore of the Geneva Lake, with the view on the Alps.

Contact for further information

For further information please contact Prof. Pannell: E-Mail schreiben

Your application

Deadline: 22/05/2026

Formal applications should include:

• A cover letter containing a short description of your research interests and research experience, explaining why you reply to this job offer


• Your CV


• A copy of your master certificate


• Master’s thesis summary


• Contact details of two or three referees

To receive full consideration, application documents should be uploaded online through the University of Lausanne recruitment platform.

Additional information

UNIL is committed to equal opportunities and diversity.

www.unil.ch/egalite

UNIL supports early career researchers.

www.unil.ch/graduatecampus