Doctoral Student Range shifts of mountain plants

Doctoral Student:
Range shifts of mountain plants

The Plant Ecology Group at ETH Zürich is seeking a doctoral student to study why mountain plant species are failing to shift their ranges fast enough to track climate change. The candidate will be based in the Plant Ecology Group at ETH Zürich, Switzerland (Prof. Jake Alexander), and work in close collaboration with the Hargreaves Lab at McGill University, Canada (Prof.

Anna Hargreaves).

Many species are not shifting their ranges fast enough to successfully track climate change, yet attempts to predict the velocity of plant range shifts have generally failed. We aim to disentangle the importance of species interactions and demographic processes governing shifts of plants’ high‑elevation range limits, and to test whether an improved understanding can be used to predict range shift ability across ecosystems.

By combining global, standardized experiments across six continents within the Mountain Invasion Research Network (MIREN) and detailed studies in the Swiss Alps and Canadian Rocky Mountains, the project robustly tests competing hypotheses about mechanisms of range shifts while generalizing across a diverse geographic context.

• Set‑up and run field transplant and greenhouse experiments, and collect and statistically analyse ecological data to quantify plant demography and long‑distance seed dispersal by animals.
• Develop own research questions within the broader topic of the project.
• Contribute to teaching, outreach, lab activities and other tasks within the research group and department.
• Collaborate with a sister study in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and with international collaborators from the MIREN network.

Intellectually curious candidates who are highly motivated to engage in rigorous ecological research, enjoy being outdoors, can plan and organise logistics, and can work effectively in a team and independently are sought. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.

• MSc in ecology or a related field.
• High self‑motivation and time‑management skills.
• Commitment to a collegial and inclusive workplace.
• Proven skills in statistical modelling (e.g. mixed models, statistical programming in R) and scientific writing.
• Eagerness and ability to engage in extended periods of field work, sometimes in remote areas and under challenging conditions.
• Advanced language skills in English (oral and written) and the ability to write efficiently and effectively.
• Professionalism and academic integrity.

Additional skills that may be acquired during the project:

• Experience conducting ecological research under field and greenhouse conditions.
• Familiarity with plant identification, propagation, and trait measurements.
• A valid driver’s licence and ability to drive on steep mountain roads.

The Plant Ecology Group at ETH Zürich conducts research on a diversity of topics within plant community ecology, including the role of climate, biotic interactions, and demographic lags in shaping range and community shifts. The group maintains long‑term experimental and monitoring studies in alpine and forest sites in Switzerland and the USA, and collaborates widely with researchers worldwide.

Outstanding opportunities for collaborations, including possible research stays at McGill University, and interactions with other research groups at ETH Zürich, the University of Zürich, WSL, and EAWAG. Zürich is a cosmopolitan city with high living standards and easy access to research sites, outdoor activities, and the rest of Europe. ETH Zurich promotes an inclusive culture, equality of opportunity and diversity, and pursues a climate‑neutral future.