Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship in Plant-Microbe Entomology Interactions

A fully funded Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship is now open at Auburn University in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, with an anticipated start date of Fall 2025. This opportunity is offered through the De La Fuente laboratory, led by Dr. Leonardo De La Fuente, a renowned researcher in plant pathology.

“Xylella fastidiosa infection in a hybrid microfluidic model of plant-microbe interactions.”

This exciting research involves the development of microfluidic chambers (or “xylem-on-a-chip” systems) to explore how X. fastidiosa interacts with plant hosts. The project combines microbiology, plant biology, bioinformatics, and microfabrication to investigate.

Are you passionate about climate change, remote sensing, and data-driven agriculture? Join the renowned Grassland Sciences Group at ETH Zurich, in collaboration with Agroscope, to analyze greenhouse gas emissions and water use trends across Switzerland’s agricultural landscape.

The project, PERSIST, is designed to:

• Quantify spatio-temporal climate impacts of Swiss farming systems from 2016 to today
• Integrate satellite remote sensing, eddy covariance flux towers, and meteorological data
• Provide data-driven insights for sustainable land management

🛰️ Your Key Responsibilities

• Integrate remote sensing with meteorological and flux data
• Map and scale management practices from site-level to national scale
• Analyze environmental footprints in Swiss agriculture
• Engage with stakeholders and communicate findings
• Optionally assist in Bachelor/Master teaching and student mentoring

🎓 Your Profile

• PhD in agricultural sciences, micrometeorology, remote sensing, or related fields
• Strong skills in big data analytics, modeling, or statistical analysis
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written); German is a plus
• Experience in stakeholder collaboration is advantageous

🌟 Why Join ETH Zurich?

• Work at a top global university with cutting-edge infrastructure
• Engage in interdisciplinary, high-impact research
• Collaborate internationally with top climate and agriculture scientists
• Access generous benefits: public transport pass, sports, childcare, pension
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive, and climate-focused academic environment

📄 How to Apply

Deadline: May 25, 2025
Start Date: August 1, 2025
Apply Online Only – No Email Submissions Accepted

🔗 Apply Online Here