Postdoctoral position in Biogeography of Sociality

Introduction

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 15,500 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

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Presentation

The Group of Prof. Cleo Bertelsmeier is proposing a Postdoctoral (Premier Assistant) position in Biogeography of Sociality at the Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

The research project is about the evolution and macroecology of social traits in ants, exploring the environmental drivers of different forms of sociality. Ants are an ideal study system to address these questions since there are more than 15,000 described species with known spatial distributions and their societies can vary for example in the number of workers, the number of queens, colony structure, worker polymorphisms and other traits. We will use both macroclimatic and emergent global microclimatic data to assess species’ climatic niches and test how they are linked to particular social traits.

The postdoc will join a friendly and dynamic team working mainly on macroecology, biological invasions, climate change, community ecology, and ant ecology. For more information, see https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/

Job information

Expected start date in position: 01/10/2026 or to be agreed

Contract length: 1 year, renewable depending on funding availability

Activity rate: 100%

Workplace: Lausanne-Dorigny

Your responsibilities

We are looking for a postdoc in the field of biogeography and/or phylogenetic comparative analyses. Most of his/her time will be dedicated to research, but a contribution to teaching is expected, including the possibility of supervising master students. The job description stipulates:

70% Personal research

25% Participation to teaching activities and master student supervision

5% Maintenance of lab equipment or other institutional tasks.

Your qualifications

We are seeking to recruit someone with a strong interest and a PhD degree in biogeography, quantitative ecology or evolution, with skills in spatial analysis, phylogenetic comparative analysis, macroecology, climatic niche and diversity analyses. Experience with social insects (in particular ants) would be an advantage.

Interpersonal skills

• Curiosity and willingness to discuss about social insect societies, and science in general


• Creativity and the capacity to imagine novel solutions and take initiatives


• Motivation and drive to carry out research independently and as part of a team


• Good communication skills, ability to keep an open mind, ability to communicate your ideas to others, while taking into account constructive criticism

What the position offers you

We offer a nice working place in a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment, with

opportunities for professional training. Possibilities of continuous training, a lot of activities and other opportunities to discover.

The Department of Ecology and Evolution in Lausanne University hosts research groups working on a

broad range of topics, producing a rich intellectual and social life. Although French is the common language in Lausanne region, the department research activities and seminars are conducted in English. The campus is located on the shore of the Geneva Lake, with the view on the Alps.

Contact for further information

For further information please contact Prof. Cleo Bertelsmeier: email: [email protected]

Your application

Deadline to apply: 22.06.2026

Formal applications should include:

- a cover letter detailing your research interests, experience and motivation for applying;

- your CV;

- a copy of your PhD certificate; (“The applicant must have received his/her PhD in the last 2 years or be about to obtain a PhD very soon)

- the names of two or three referees.

To receive full consideration, application documents should be uploaded online through the University of Lausanne recruitment platform.

Review of applications will begin immediately.

Additional information

UNIL is committed to equal opportunities and diversity.

www.unil.ch/egalite

UNIL supports early career researchers.

www.unil.ch/graduatecampus