Postdoctoral Researcher Position in Ecology at University of Basel, Switzerland
About Position/Job
The Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Basel invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Plant Microbe Interactions group. This position is part of a collaborative and interdisciplinary SNSF-funded project involving Swiss and Swedish partners. It focuses on the ecology of ectomycorrhizal fungi in deep forest soils, using long-read sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, and environmental modelling to understand how deep-soil fungal networks impact tree health and nutrient dynamics.
Position/Job Details
- Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
- Institution: University of Basel
- Department: Environmental Sciences – Plant Microbe Interactions
- Research Field: Microbial Ecology / Forest Biology
- Location: Basel, Switzerland
- Number of Posts: 1
- Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-term (3 years)
- Start Date (Anticipated): Upon agreement
- Working Hours: 40 hours/week
- Salary Range: As per University of Basel standards
- Required Degree/Diploma: PhD
Research Area
- Fungal Ecology
- Deep Soil Microbiomes
- Ectomycorrhizal Communities
- Forest Health and Tree Physiology
- Environmental Microbiology
- Soil Biogeochemistry
- Metagenomics and Bioinformatics
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in Microbial Ecology, Forest Biology, or related fields
- Experience with fungal ecology and metagenomics
- Proficiency in bioinformatics and multivariate statistics
- Fluent in written and spoken English
Preferred Qualifications:
- Background in forest ecology or biogeochemistry
- Experience working in collaborative, interdisciplinary teams
- Willingness to travel/work abroad (Switzerland & Sweden)
- Strong organizational and communication skills
Key Responsibilities
- Analyze deep soil fungal communities from a sample archive
- Conduct long-read sequencing and shotgun metagenomics
- Model community data using soil and tree physiological metadata
- Contribute to scientific publications and collaborative efforts
Application Process
How to Apply
Submit your full application (motivation letter, CV, publications, contact info of two referees) through the University of Basel’s recruitment portal.
Required Documents:
- Motivation Letter
- Complete CV
- List of Publications
- Two References
Important Dates
- Application Opens: June 2025
- Deadline: Rolling until filled
- Interview Date: Upon shortlisting
Useful Links
- Institution Website: https://www.unibas.ch
- Job Posting: Universität Basel: Postdoctoral researcher: Ecology of deep soil forest fungi
- Apply Now: Career Opportunities: Postdoctoral researcher: Ecology of deep soil forest fungi (6357)
