Overview
PhD Position in Anthropogenic biodiversity changes in bryophytes 100 %
Join to apply for the PhD Position in Anthropogenic biodiversity changes in bryophytes 100 % role at ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
Your role
The Vegetation Ecology Research Group is seeking an enthusiastic PhD candidate for a 4-year position to study how plant diversity has changed in Switzerland during the last 100+ years, with a focus on bryophytes. The PhD candidate will be based in the Vegetation Ecology Research Group of the ZHAW at Wädenswil (Prof. Jürgen Dengler) while being enrolled at the University of Zurich (UZH) in the Institute for Systematic and Evolutionary Botany (PD Dr. Michael Kessler), and working collaboratively with InfoFlora (Dr. Stefan Eggenberg) and the Ecosystems Dynamics Group of the WSL (Dr. Ariel Bergamini).
It is generally accepted that biodiversity has declined due to anthropogenic pressures such as land use intensification and abandonment, eutrophication, landscape homogenisation and global warming. The project aims to provide a temporally, spatially and ecologically resolved picture of bryophyte (and partly vascular plant) diversity change and its underlying drivers to inform better conservation tools and measures. The VegCHange project studies these topics across all taxonomic groups of vegetation and is part of the National Research Program “Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services” of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
Responsibilities
Participate in a larger project involving scientists, citizen scientists, conservation practitioners and authorities to analyze bryophyte and biodiversity change.
Contribute to three predefined tasks: (1) Comparative analysis of vascular plant and bryophyte diversity changes over the past 25 years using national biodiversity monitoring program data; (2) Trend analyses for species using the floristic database Swissbryophytes; (3) Resampling and analysing standardized bryophyte plots established 1994–2006.
Contribute to group responsibilities at ZHAW and teaching at UZH.
Your profile
Master's degree in biology, environmental sciences or a related subject
Enthusiasm and interest in the scientific background of the project
Good plant identification skills, preferably including bryophytes, or willingness to acquire them
Experience with statistical modelling in R
Field work experience and a valid driver’s license
Willingness to travel and undertake fieldwork for data collection
Advanced language skills in English (oral and writing); German language skill is a plus
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Commitment to a collegial and inclusive workplace
Apply online now
This is what we stand for
Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW is one of Switzerland's largest multidisciplinary universities of applied sciences, with over 14,000 students and 3,400 faculty and staff. ZHAW is committed to gender-mixed and diverse teams in order to promote equality, diversity and innovation.
The Vegetation Ecology Research Group at ZHAW conducts research on plant community ecology and conservation biology, focusing on plant diversity and its change, evidence-based nature conservation, macroecology, impacts of neophytes, and vegetation classification. We conduct field work across Switzerland and coordinate or participate in major vegetation-plot databases (EVA; sPlot, GrassPlot) and are involved in the Ecological Indicator Values for Europe (EIVE). We offer an extensive network of cooperation with scientists across Europe and beyond. The PhD will be formally conducted at the University of Zurich (UZH) in the Doctoral Program in Ecology.
This project offers excellent opportunities for collaboration with ZHAW (PI Dengler), InfoFlora (PI Eggenberg), UZH (Dr. Kessler), WSL (Dr. Bergamini) and other Swiss/international partners. You will work on the ZHAW campus Grüental in Wädenswil, near Lake Zurich, with easy access to Zurich and the Alps.
Documents and how to apply
We look forward to receiving your application with the following documents, each as a separate pdf and labelled starting with your surname (e.g. Aziz_CV, Chang_MScDegree, Meier_MScTranscript):
Application letter with motivation (1–2 pages)
CV (2–4 pages): Educational background, publications and presentations, and relevant research/work/volunteering activities
MSc degree certificate: Including the title of your thesis
MSc transcript: List of courses and grades
We will begin reviewing applications on 22 September and aim to conduct interviews by the end of September or early October. The position will remain open until filled. The ideal starting date would be November 2025.
Questions regarding the position can be directed to Prof. Jürgen Dengler (juergen.dengler@zhaw.ch). In this case, please start the subject line with “Questions about SNSF PhD”.
What you can expect
Benefits
We offer working conditions and terms of employment commensurate with higher education institutions and actively promote personal development for staff in leadership and non-leadership positions. A detailed description of advantages and benefits can be found at Working at the ZHAW. The main points are listed below:
Workplace Culture
Work Life Balance
Diversity and Inclusion
Personal Development
Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability at the ZHAW
Occupational Health Management
Salary and Pension Provision
Contact
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Dengler
Institute of Natural Resource Sciences
juergen.dengler@zhaw.ch
Irina Keiser
Recruiting Manager
irina.keiser@zhaw.ch
2025-09-05
Temporary
ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Wädenswil Region of Zurich 8820
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