The research group of Dr. Elena Jovanovska at the Department of
Environmental Sciences, University of Basel is offering a fully funded,
four-year (100%) PhD position in evolutionary biology of microalgae, as
part of the SNSF Ambizione project: 'Key functional and morphological
innovations in a rapid evolutionary radiation of diatoms in African Lake
Tanganyika'. The project will investigate the evolutionary process
of adaptive radiation and the associated key innovation of diatoms in
African Lake Tanganyika.

Project Description:
Diatoms are among the most successful life forms on Earth, having taken
over a substantial role in regulating the global oxygen balance and
climate that other microalgae maintained for nearly a billion years. Their
ecological and evolutionary success has made them dominant and diverse,
yet the mechanisms behind this success remain poorly understood. This
project seeks to address this question by examining the role of
adaptive radiation and associated key innovations in the evolution of
freshwater diatoms. By integrating morphology, physiology, genomics,
transcriptomics, and computational modeling, we aim to (i) determine
whether a newly discovered assemblage of diatoms of the genus Diploneis
from Lake Tanganyika has diversified through adaptive radiation, and
(ii) identify the morphological and physiological innovations underlying
their rapid diversification.

Your position:
Your work will focus on physiological innovations related to sterols,
with specific aims to (i) Identify sterol composition and distribution
among species, (ii) detect sterol-related innovations and associated
genes by examining genomes for signatures of positive selection, and
(iii) explore sterol functions and their underlying regulatory genetic
networks using comparative transcriptomics.

Preferred Experience:

-  Diatom culturing and single-cell DNA isolation

-  Phylogenetics or genomics

-  Experimental and transcriptomic work

-  Sterol analysis

-  Fieldwork experience and readiness for multi-week sampling
   expeditions to remote sites in Tanzania, Zambia, and Malawi

Qualifications:

-  Master's degree in biology, ecology, evolutionary biology,
   microbiology, physiology, genetics, or related field

-  Experience with diatom culturing, single-cell DNA isolation,
   phylogenetic, and sterol analyses is an advantage

-  Fluent written and spoken English

-  Willingness to conduct field research in remote areas of Africa

Collaborations:
The project involves national and international collaborations, primarily
with Prof. Nemiah Ladd and Prof. Walter Salzburger (University of Basel),
Prof. Andrew Alverson (University of Arkansas), and Prof. Cyprian Katongo
(University of Zambia), as well as other partners who offer opportunities
for field research, joint analysis, and networking.

Application:
Please submit a CV, a one-page motivation letter outlining
your research interests, and two reference letters to
elena.jovanovska@unibas.ch.

Application Deadline: November 15, 2025
Starting Date: January 2026

More information and application details:
https://jobs.unibas.ch/offene-stellen/phd-position-in-evolutionary-biology-of-microalgae/64cf91a6-b134-4bf9-a563-9efbf83ced7e

For further inquiries, contact elena.jovanovska@unibas.ch

Elena Salzburger <elena.jovanovska@unibas.ch>

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