Experimental Ecology

Research project RESIST

Experimental Ecology is part of the Institute of Integrative Biology (IBZ) and the Department of Environmental System Sciences at ETH Zurich. Research and teaching activities concentrate on topics of ecology and evolution, with particular emphasis on questions of host-parasite interactions. Research work is done both in the laboratory and in the field and uses a variety of methods from mathematical modelling to molecular biology. Teaching activities include introductory lectures in ecology and evolution, and advanced courses on a variety of topics, such as host-parasite coevolution, life history theory, behavioural ecology, modelling or phylogenetic studies. In addition, joint seminars are held together with staff and students from the University of Zurich.

We are located at the main campus of ETH Zurich. The atmosphere is international with people coming from all over the world and the working language is English. The group has around 8 academic and technical staff, plus 8-10 student and post-doctoral academics. It is equipped with laboratories for microscopy, molecular biology, parasitology and animal breeding facilities. In addition, excellent computing facilities are available.

Research funding is provided by intramural grants, and by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation, and various external foundations. We have many collaborations with Germany, Australia, the UK, North and South America, and with China. For molecular studies, our partners include the Genetic Diversity Centre, the Functional Genomics Center (FGCZ), and the Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin. Students of Experimental Ecology can work towards credits in the offered courses, a BSc/MSc degree or a Ph.D.