PhD Opportunities
This page details PhD projects of which we are aware. This list is by no means exhaustive and the institutions listed, and others, may well be offering additional projects. Further details for many of these projects are already available on institutional websites. For UK PhD programmes, note that application deadlines can be as early as January, and interviews usually take place during the period January-April.
This list relies on supervisors submitting details of their projects. If you are advertising a PhD currently, please submit it using the form linked below:
The origin of animals: Building a precise timeline from the geological record
The Ediacaran–Cambrian transition saw the evolutionary appearance of complex macroscopic life and animal-dominated ecosystems. Yet basic questions on the timing and sequence of evolutionary events during that period remain unresolved, due to the challenge of correlating a geological record that straddles multiple continents. Signatures of ocean chemistry, such as stable carbon isotopes (δ13C), in principle allow for the correlation of fossil-bearing sedimentary sections from different locations. However, such chemostratigraphic signals are typically aligned by visual inspection, and may not exclusively represent a global oceanic signature. As such, this inherently subjective approach often produces multiple possible alignments, and gives no rigorous way of determining the most likely alignment, or quantifying uncertainty.
This project will use the StratoBayes correlation software to produce an objective stratigraphic framework of late Ediacaran–early Cambrian deposits, which will provide a definitive timeline of early animal evolution at an unprecedented temporal resolution. StratoBayes is a novel tool developed by members of the supervisory team; it uses innovative Bayesian models to derive correlations between stratigraphic sections based on the geochemical signatures they record.
Conodont evolution in response to Early Triassic disturbances
The Department of Paleontology of the University of Zurich (https://www.pim.uzh.ch/en.html) invites applications for a full-time PhD position (a total of 4 years funding). The successful candidate will work in an Ambizione research project (Swiss National Science Foundation supported) held by Dr. Pauline Guenser (principal supervisor; https://data.snf.ch/grants/grant/233157) in the team of Prof. Dr. Torsten Scheyer (co-supervisor).
The Ambizione project aims to assess the adaptation of organisms in response to climate change by focusing on Late Permian-Early Triassic environmental disturbances. The successful candidate will use conodonts for that purpose. These small extinct marine vertebrates can serve as a powerful biological model for this type of investigation thanks to their “teeth” – i.e. conodont elements – which are morphologically diverse and abundant in the fossil record. Using Synchrotron microtomography, morphometry and statistics, the PhD student will quantify the evolution of conodont growth rate and assess their adaptive response to Early Triassic disturbances, especially around the end-Smithian crisis. In particular, the PhD project will involve:
• Conodont picking under binocular magnifier; eventually rock-processing through acid and sieving;
• Scanning session at the Synchrotron Swiss Light Source (Paul Scherrer Institute)
• 3D reconstruction of conodont elements
• Quantification of conodont elements shape through traditional measurements and geometric morphometrics (using either TPS suite, R language or ImageJ)
• Statistical analyses using R language
• Building and managing a database of 3D models and morphological information
• Disseminating the results through scientific publications and international conferences
• Supervising bachelor/master interns
• Participation in teaching for Bachelors in Biodiversity (practicals, student projects, supervision of exams and theses) : ~60h/year
Candidates must hold a Master degree in Geosciences or Biology before June 01st 2026. A major in Paleontology or Evolution is highly recommended. We are looking for candidates who demonstrate skills (or if not, interest) in:
• Conodont taxonomy and systematics, especially around the Permian and Triassic periods;
• (micro)tomography and 3D reconstruction;
• Geometric morphometrics;
• R language;
• English spoken and written (B2 level minimum)
The University of Zurich (UZH) is one of the top comprehensive institutions in Europe. The Department of Paleontology offers state-of-the-art research facilities in an international and stimulating, as well as diversity-friendly and inclusive academic environment. The successful candidate will be able to develop a strong academic network for their career and the opportunity of exchanging with experts in diverse subjects in paleontology (https://www.pim.uzh.ch/apps/cms/pageframes/research_projects.php?get=leaders). Furthermore, the city, in close proximity to the Alps, offers conditions for an excellent quality of life.
A blind procedure has been built to avoid any bias during the first step of the recruitment. We seek to evaluate the candidates based only on their skills and experiences, without considering their gender, nationality or origin. The applicants are then invited to fill an online form available here: https://framaforms.org/phd-application-1768230507
CLOSING DATE OF APPLICATION: February 15th
the applicants will be notified by email for an interview in end-February. They may be asked additional information such as referees and a complete CV before the interview.
STARTING DATE OF THE PhD: Between May 01st and June 01st
SALARY: CHF 50,000 – CHF 55,000/year (gross)
Any question? Email contact: pauline.guenser@gmail.com
Unlocking museum collections: evolution of coastal ecosystems from pre-industrial to present day
Human driven climate and environmental change may have irreversible effects on marine ecosystems. Generating a pre-industrial record is therefore essential to understand these changes, and predict how increasing acidification, eutrophication and warming will affect biota in future years. Foraminifera respond rapidly to changes in marine conditions and are therefore excellent bioindicators. This project uses the historical foraminiferal collections of the Natural History Museum Denmark to assess the impacts of anthropogenic change on the Kattegat-Øresund ecosystems over the last 150 years, via benthic foraminiferal assemblage, 3D morphological traits and trace element analyses.
Within the project you will develop skills in synchrotron imaging and 3D image analysis, trace element and stable isotope analysis, foraminiferal field sampling, taxonomy and biodiversity metrics, alongside an understanding of museum collections and working with historical material.