Graduate position: ETH Zurich - Insect Behaviour
We are seeking a motivated and creative PhD Student in Entomology with a
Diploma degree in Biology or related University Degree. ThePhD project
will focus on insect behaviour and its genetic basis. Toachieve
successful biological control, fitness of mass-reared andreleased
parasitoid wasps should be high. Mechanisms leading tooptimal or
suboptimal sex ratios (so-called single locuscomplementary sex
determination) shall be investigated in a parasitoid of practical
relevance in vegetable farming, occurring naturally in Switzerland.
Desirable is a high proportion of (diploid) females and a minimal
proportion of diploid males.
Methods willinclude field collection, establishment and rearing of
laboratory subpopulations, quantification of fitness and mate choice
behaviour, as well as elucidation of genetic diversity using molecular
tools (microsatellite markers). Results are expected to be relevant
forbasic understanding of sex allocation and mating structures in
parasitoids, as well as for application in biological control.
Languages spoken in the group are mainly German and English.
Education: Diploma degree (or MSc) in Biology or related University
Degree.
Start: Position open until filled.
Send curriculum vitae, certificates and addresses with phone numbers of
three references to:
Prof. Dr. Silvia Dorn or Dr. Dominique Mazzi
Reference Code PhD-InsBeh Institute of Plant
Sciences/ Applied Entomology ETH Zurich
Schmelzbergstr. 9 / LFO CH -8092 Zurich
phone +41 44 6323936
e-mails: silvia.dorn at ipw.agrl.ethz.ch and dominique.mazzi at
ipw.agrl.ethz.ch
web site: www.em.ipw.agrl.ethz.ch
