Postdoc in experimental evolutionary biology

A postdoctoral fellowship in evolutionary biology is available in the laboratory of Andreas Wagner at the University of Zurich. The fellow will use experimental evolution to study the role of epistasis, robustness, or gene expression noise in the evolution and evolvability of proteins, RNA, or regulatory DNA. Lab members are a group with very diverse backgrounds and research projects, unified by their interests in evolution and life’s fundamental organizational principles. Recent experimental work in the lab ranges from the directed evolution of proteins to experimental evolution of microbes  (e.g., Zheng et al., Science 2019; van Gestel et al., Nature Ecology and Evolution 2019). The successful candidate will have flexibility in designing their own project, as long as it falls within the purview of the lab’s general research area (see also http://www.ieu.uzh.ch/wagner/).

We are looking for an individual who has received his or her PhD within the last five years, who is highly self-motivated and can work independently on a project that he or she will help develop. The successful candidate will have a strong background in microbiological techniques and molecular cloning. Applicants with experience in approaches such as deep-scanning mutagenesis, molecular barcoding, and CRISPR-Cas-based library design will be especially welcome. Experience with flow cytometry, as well as with computational analysis of high-throughput DNA sequence data will be a plus, as will be a research history in evolutionary biology. The position offers a highly competitive salary of up to three years on annually renewable contracts.

The working language in the laboratory is English. German skills, although helpful, are not essential. Zurich is a highly attractive city in beautiful surroundings, with a multinational population, and many educational and recreational opportunities.

To be considered, please send a single (!) PDF file merged from the following parts to jobs.wagner@ieu.uzh.ch: CV including publication list, academic transcripts, three academic references, and a statement of research interests not exceeding three pages that includes a sketch of an experimental evolution project that you would like to pursue. Please include the word “EXPPDOC21” in the subject line. Applications will be considered until October 28, 2020, or until the position has been filled. The position is available from early 2021.