PhD Opportunity in Plant Stress Adaptation – EPFL, Switzerland
Join the Plant Adaptation Lab (PAL) at EPFL, Lausanne
The Plant Adaptation Lab (PAL) at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join a Swiss National Science Foundation-funded project investigating plant adaptation to salinity stress.
💡 Project Overview
Salinity is one of the most pressing challenges to global agriculture. This project aims to uncover how plants, particularly Arabidopsis and naturally salt-tolerant halophytes, cope with sodium toxicity at the cellular and subcellular levels. You’ll explore what makes halophytes resilient, using a combination of genetics, high-resolution imaging, and nano-scale elemental analysis.
🔬 What You’ll Do:
- Investigate plant responses to salinity across biological scales
- Use cutting-edge tools such as CryoNanoSIMS, live-cell imaging, and molecular genetics
- Compare ion dynamics and coping strategies between Arabidopsis and wild halophytes
🎓 Candidate Profile:
- Master’s degree in biology or related field (preferably plant-focused)
- Experience with molecular biology and cloning
- Interest in imaging techniques (optical and cryo-imaging)
- Basic coding and biostatistics skills
- Strong communication skills in English
🌍 We Offer:
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and multidisciplinary training
- A competitive Swiss PhD salary
- A dynamic, international, and collaborative work environment at a world-leading university
- Supportive mentorship and career development opportunities
📍 Location: EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
📅 Preferred Start Date: September 2025
📄 Contract: Full-time (100%), Fixed term (4 years)
📌 Note: Admission to the EPFL Doctoral School is required before the employment contract can begin.
📝 How to Apply:
Send the following as a single PDF to Prof. Priya Ramakrishna.
- Motivation letter
- Full CV and transcripts (Bachelor + Master)
- Contact details for three referees
🕒 Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.