open positions
Master position – Mapping mutations affecting skin colour traits in the corn snake
In the context of highly multidisciplinary studies investigating the development of skin colour patterns in the corn snake, we are seeking creative and highly motivated students with strong interest in molecular developmental biology to assist in mapping corn snake colour and colour pattern traits. The successful candidates will interact with a multidisciplinary team of physicists, computer scientists and biologists and will be trained in state-of-the-art imaging techniques and molecular developmental approaches.
Contact Dr. Athanasia C. Tzika (athanasia [dot] tzika [at] unige.ch) for details.
Master position – Modelling variation & complexity of animal forms
In the context of highly multidisciplinary studies investigating the development of skin appendages (project 1) and skin colour patterns (project 2) in vertebrates, we are seeking creative and highly motivated students with strong interests and skills in mathematical modelling and numerical simulations of physical processes (reaction-diffusion, mechanics, …). The successful candidates will interact with a multidisciplinary team of physicists, computer scientists and biologists (the latter using state-of-the-art imaging techniques and molecular developmental approaches).
Contact Prof. Michel C. Milinkovitch (michel [dot] milinkovitch [at] unige.ch) for details.
Master position – Mapping mutations affecting skin colour traits in the leopard geckos
In the context of highly multidisciplinary studies investigating the development of skin colour patterns in the leopard geckos, we are seeking creative and highly motivated students with strong interest in molecular developmental biology to assist in mapping leopard gecko colour and colour pattern traits. The successful candidates will interact with a multidisciplinary team of physicists, computer scientists and biologists and will be trained in state-of-the-art imaging techniques and molecular developmental approaches.
Contact Dr. Athanasia C. Tzika (athanasia [dot] tzika [at] unige.ch) for details.
Physics of biological morphogenesis: Position for a theoretical physicist in Switzerland
We offer several positions for outstanding, highly motivated, and creative theoretical physicists or applied mathematicians, at the postdoc or PhD student level, in the Salbreux group. Projects are at the interface of physics and biology and involve analytical theory, numerical simulations, and data analysis, in close collaboration with experimental groups. The successful candidates will investigate morphogenetic processes and self-organization at the level of cells and tissues in biological systems.
Candidates must have a master degree in physics (for a PhD student position) or a PhD in theoretical physics or a related field (for a postdoctoral position). An expertise in biology is welcome but is not mandatory. The positions are for 3 to 5 years.
The University of Geneva (UNIGE) is world-renowned for its research and is among the top 1% best universities in the world. We offer an attractive research environment and salaries according to swiss standards.
References: Patterning and growth control in vivo by an engineered GFP gradient, Science, 2020; Mechanochemical Crosstalk Produces Cell-Intrinsic Patterning of the Cortex to Orient the Mitotic Spindle, Current Biology, 2020; Tissue curvature and apicobasal mechanical tension imbalance instruct cancer morphogenesis, Nature, 2019; Stability and Roughness of Interfaces in Mechanically Regulated Tissues, Phys Rev Let, 2018, Mechanics of active surfaces, Phys Rev E, 2017; Active dynamics of tissue shear flow, New J. Phys, 2017, The Physical Basis of Coordinated Tissue Spreading in Zebrafish Gastrulation, Dev Cell, 2017.
How to Apply
Candidates must send their application — in the form of a single PDF file including a brief letter of interest, a CV, as well as contact information of two to three persons of reference — to Prof. Guillaume Salbreux.