Are you passionate about animal genetics, bioinformatics, and genome analysis? A fully funded PhD opportunity is now open at ETH Zurich, one of the world’s leading universities. Join the renowned Animal Genomics Group and contribute to cutting-edge research on structural variations in cattle genomes, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
🔬 PhD Research Focus: OPISCOW Project
The PhD candidate will work on the OPISCOW Project – Origin, Prevalence, and Impact of Complex Structural Variation in cattle. This exciting research aims to:
- Estimate the de novo mutation rate of structural variants (SVs) in bovine genomes
- Utilize PacBio HiFi long-read sequencing on 50 parent-offspring trios
- Map data to a bovine telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome assembly
- Build haplotype-resolved genome assemblies
- Contribute to the global bovine pangenome initiative
✅ Key Responsibilities
As a PhD student in this genomics project, your role will include:
- Analyzing high-throughput long-read sequencing datasets
- Identifying and characterizing structural variants and mutation rates
- Performing genome assembly and sequence alignment
- Engaging in collaborative international research projects
- Presenting your findings in top journals and scientific conferences
🧑🔬 Candidate Requirements
To qualify for this PhD program, applicants must have:
- A Master’s degree (MSc) in genomics, genetics, bioinformatics, or related disciplines
- Programming skills in Python, R, or similar languages
- Experience working with high-performance computing (HPC) clusters
- Strong interest in computational and statistical genomics
- Proficiency in English communication and scientific writing
🏫 Why Choose ETH Zurich?
ETH Zurich stands out as a global leader in research and education, offering:
- A world-class environment for genomics and data science
- Excellent research infrastructure and laboratory facilities
- A competitive PhD salary and comprehensive benefits
- A collaborative and inclusive research community
- Exceptional support for career development and publishing opportunities
📅 Important Dates & Application Process
- Start Date: September 1, 2025 (flexible; earlier start possible)
- Application Review Begins: May 20, 2025
- PhD Duration: 4 years (fully funded)
📄 How to Apply:
Submit the following documents through the official ETH Zurich application portal:
- Motivation letter
- Updated CV (Curriculum Vitae)
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Contact details of two academic referees
📧 Contact Information
For inquiries about the position (not for applications), reach out to:
Prof. Hubert Pausch
📩 Email: hubert.pausch@usys.ethz.ch
🌍 Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
ETH Zurich is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The university promotes diversity and cultivates an inclusive research culture where every individual can thrive and contribute to innovative science.