PhD position in Bacterial Interaction Mapping

Introduction

The University of Lausanne is a higher teaching and research institution composed of seven faculties where approximately 14,300 students and nearly 3,800 collaborators, professors, and researchers work and study. Ideally situated along the lake of Geneva, near Lausanne's city center, its campus brings together over 120 nationalities.

Presentation

The Pacheco Lab (pachecolab.com) in the Department of Fundamental Microbiology at the University of Lausanne offers a position as a Doctoral Student SNSF in bacterial interaction mapping (experimental or interdisciplinary experimental/computational focus).

Job information

Expected start date: flexible, earliest 01 September 2025
Contract length: 1 year, maximum 4 years
Activity rate: 100%
Workplace: University of Lausanne, Dorigny Campus

Your responsibilities

The Pacheco Lab has an open position to study the role of complex environmental compositions in shaping microbial interactions and community ecology. 
In nature, microbes form complex communities whose functions are deeply intertwined with those of their host ecosystems. An ability to rationally modulate these communities can open numerous opportunities for microbiome-driven applications in host health and environmental sustainability. Previously, we have shown how an understanding of the resource use capabilities of individual microbes can contribute to accurate predictions of ecological interaction outcomes. However, how an organism’s ability to utilize a given resource contributes to its role in interspecies interactions and community ecology remains difficult to define. Mapping these connections is crucial to understand and engineer microbial interactions in natural environments, which are characterized by complex and variable resource profiles. 
Through this project, we seek to improve our understanding of how environmental resources shape bacterial interactions and ecological steady states, in order to engineer synthetic communities with desired functions. To investigate these questions, the successful candidate will design, carry out, and interpret in vitro laboratory experiments incorporating bacterial cell culture, automation, and multi-omics data collection and analysis, with ample opportunities for incorporating additional methods and technologies. Candidates who have experience or interest in developing computational models to contextualize and generalize obtained experimental results are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Your qualifications

-    Master in biological sciences or related disciplines
-    Strong practical knowledge of basic microbiology techniques
-    Experience in programming
-    Enthusiasm for conceptual thinking in ecology is valued
-    Proficiency in English
-    Strong personal drive for scientific research, a curious nature, and the capability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a growing interdisciplinary team
-    Interdisciplinary candidates with experience in computational modeling or bioinformatics for microbial ecology are strongly encouraged to apply

What the post offers you

You will join a new and highly motivated interdisciplinary research group focused on understanding and engineering microbial interactions for host health and sustainability applications. Located in the Biophore building overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps, our lab is embedded within the vibrant and international research environment of the Department of Fundamental Microbiology at the University of Lausanne. Our state-of-the-art biology and computational lab space is supported by UNIL's excellent research infrastructure (e.g., computing cluster and sequencing, metabolomics, and microscopy facilities) and a collaborative network of leading researchers in microbial ecology, computational biology, sustainable agriculture, and medicine (e.g., NCCR Microbiomes, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, EPFL, and CHUV). UNIL is deeply integrated within the broader Lausanne community and region, which offers ample opportunities for professional training and a rich cultural life.
Please visit our website for more information on our group, research interests, and publications:
https://pachecolab.com

Contact for further information

Prof. Alan Pacheco: E-Mail schreiben. 

Your application

Application deadline: Review of applications will start immediately until the position is filled.
Please include your full application in PDF format, including a motivation letter, a CV with grades, a short description of previous research, and the contact information of two references. 
Only applications through this website will be considered.

Complementary information

Seeking to promote an equitable representation of men and women among its staff, the University of Lausanne encourages applications from women.