PhD Position in Theory of Fitness Landscapes
A fully funded 4‑year PhD position supervised by Dr. Suman Das and Prof. Dr. Claudia Bank is available in the Division of Theoretical Ecology and Evolution at the University of Bern, Switzerland. The position is part of the SNSF project “Navigability of rugged fitness landscapes: determinants, consequences, and evolutionary feedback”.
Project Overview
The PhD project focuses on mathematical modelling, computer simulations and data analysis to study adaptation from a fitness‑landscape point of view.
Research Questions
* How do interactions between the effects of mutations at different genetic loci shape the adaptive paths in a fitness landscape? Which features of a complex fitness landscape facilitate the movement of a population toward better‑adapted genotypes?
* What are the roles of random processes such as stochastic tunnelling and drift in the traversal of fitness landscapes? How do stochastic effects interact with selection to influence evolutionary trajectories?
* How does the structure of a fitness landscape itself evolve (e.g., via changes in genome size) over long timescales? What are the consequences of landscape evolution for adaptation, robustness, and evolvability?
Candidate Profile
Candidates should be highly motivated, creative, and comfortable working independently and collaboratively. We welcome applications from diverse scientific backgrounds (physics, mathematics, statistics, computer science, biology). Candidates must have a Master’s degree, strong background in mathematical modelling, and programming skills. Applicants should have good communication skills in English. We encourage applications from underrepresented groups.
Work Environment
The Division of Theoretical Ecology and Evolution is a dynamic, interdisciplinary research group with collaborators at Uni Köln, EPFL, and the University of Bern. The lab follows the Better Science Initiative, emphasizes open communication, mentoring, and well‑being.
Position Details
Start date negotiable, ideally spring 2026. Salary 50 000 CHF per year, including social security contributions.
Application
Submit a merged PDF with a motivation letter (<500 words) mentioning desired start date, CV, referee details, and optional publications. Application deadline: 9 January 2026. Contact Dr. Suman Das at suman.das@unibe.ch for questions. Application portal: karriere.unibe.ch.
We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in ecology and evolution.
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