Postdoctoral position in bioinformatics/gut microbiota ecology and evolution

Introduction

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

Presentation

The Department of Fundamental Microbiology offers a postdoctoral position in bioinformatics/gut microbiota ecology and evolution.

The Engel group is part of the Department of Fundamental Microbiology, a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary, and team-oriented scientific environment. We consist of a diverse mix of microbiologists, ecologists and evolutionary biologists from all over the world that specialize in bioinformatics and wet-lab approaches, and are funded through the University of Lausanne and the Swiss National Science Foundation. Our vision is to carry out research at the forefront of our field, while creating a friendly and inclusive environment, in which young scientists from different backgrounds can strive and feel empowered. We are equipped with state-of-the art infrastructures enabling cutting-edge research with access to many core facilities located on campus (microscopy, proteomics, sequencing facilities, computational cluster). We have strong ties to other Departments within the University, such as the Department of Ecology and Evolution, and also actively collaborate with other research teams within and outside of Switzerland, for example in Southeast Asia and Brazil.

Job information

Expected start date: flexible Contract length: 1 year, possibility of renewal Activity rate: 100% Workplace: University of Lausanne, Dorigny campus

Your responsibilities

We are looking for an outstanding and highly motivated candidate to join our research group to work on the gut microbiota of social bees. The project will take place in the context of the SNSF Consolidator grant ‘GLOBEE (https://engelbeelab.com/project/globee). In GLOBEE, we use computational and experimental approaches to study the specialized gut microbiota across social bees. The specific project of the postdoc will focus on bioinformatics analysis of shotgun metagenomics data to understand how the gut microbiota has evolved across major groups of social bees and how these associations have changed in terms of functional potential and symbiotic interactions. While a large part of the project will consists of computational approaches, the postdoc will coordinate (and possibly participate in) sampling campaigns in Switzerland, Malaysia and Brazil (5-10%) and carry out wet lab experiments if desired (5-20%).This project will advance our general understanding of the evolution and ecology of gut microbiota across animals and elucidate the functional potential of the microbiota of key pollinators across a wide range of ecosystems.

The prospective postdoctoral candidate will work on an exciting research project in a highly vibrant environment. Beside the possibility to publish impactful research papers, the postdoc will have plenty of opportunities to expand their skillset in bioinformatics and microbiology, deepen their understanding of microbial ecology and evolution, and acquire important skills in science communication, project management, and supervision preparing them for a career in or outside of academia.

At least 80% of the working time will be dedicated to personal research. The remaining of the working time may be dedicated to teaching (organization and supervision of student practicals).

For recent publications from the lab, please visit the lab webpage at https://engelbeelab.com/. Lab publications of particular relevance for this project includes (but are not limited to):

Prasad, A., Pallujam, A. D., Siddaganga, R., Suryanarayanan, A., Mazel, F., Brockmann, A., ... & Engel, P. (2024). Symbiont loss and gain, rather than co-diversification shapes honeybee gut microbiota diversity and function. bioRxiv, 2024-09.

Sarton-Lohéac, G., Nunes da Silva, C. G., Mazel, F., Baud, G., de Bakker, V., Das, S., ... & Engel, P. (2023). Deep divergence and genomic diversification of gut symbionts of neotropical stingless bees. MBio, 14(2), e03538-22.

Ellegaard, K. M., Brochet, S., Bonilla‐Rosso, G., Emery, O., Glover, N., Hadadi, N., ... & Engel, P. (2019). Genomic changes underlying host specialization in the bee gut symbiont Lactobacillus Firm5. Molecular ecology, 28(9), 2224-2237.

Your qualifications

Applicants should have a PhD in microbiology, bioinformatics, ecology, or evolutionary biology. We are looking for someone with prior research experience and research output in large-scale sequence data analysis/microbial genomics, and with a keen interest for conceptual thinking in ecology and evolution. A good command of the English language, a high personal motivation to excel in science, and a curious mind are required. We offer a stimulating environment in a diverse research group combining computational (i.e., microbial genomics and ecology) and experimental approaches to study microbial symbiosis in the gut. The focus of the project can be adapted to the interests of the applicant in the framework of the funded project.

What the position offers you

We offer a nice working place in a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment. Opportunities for professional training, a lot of activities and other benefits to discover. Our department is situated on a beautiful campus at the shore of Lake Geneva with a great view of the Alps and with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.

Contact for further information

Prof. Philipp Engel Email: Philipp.Engel@unil.ch

Your application

Deadline for submitting applications : 30.04.2025.

Please submit your full application in English, including motivation letter, CV, list of publications (if available), copy of the Master thesis (if available) and the names and addresses of two referees in a PDF. Only applications through this website will be considered. We thank you for your understanding.

Additional information UNIL is committed to:

• equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
• ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;
• offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance;
• supporting early career researchers.

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