The Group

The group of Experimental Ecology at ETHZ has studied host-parasite interactions since its foundation in 1991. By September 2016 the group has formally ceased to exist. We regret to say that there are therefore no more opportunities for PhD students, postdoc, or staff. If still interested, please consider contacting the other colleagues at the Institute of Integrative Biology. Our scientific activities in the research area nevertheless continue. Contact Paul Schmid-Hempel, or Regula Schmid-Hempel.

The Experimental Ecology group has always been interested in the interactions between hosts and their parasites, as viewed from different angles. Research was done in the field, the laboratory, at the genetics lab bench, or with some modelling. This included ecological work, advanced molecular technologies, as well as statistical and computational methods. The major study subject are large pollinators, the bumblebees, and their infectious diseases, such as trypanosomes or microsporidia. But the group has also worked on flour beetles (Tribolium), and, through its various members, on other beetle species, plants, snails, or with theory. The group of Experimental Ecology has formally been closed down by September 2016 due to the official retirement of Prof. Paul Schmid-Hempel. Nevertheless, the scientific activities continue in these areas.