Dr. Jake Alexander

Instructor

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Biography

Jake Alexander is a lecturer in the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich, specializing in interface ecology and evolution. His research investigates the fundamental questions surrounding species interactions and how organisms and their environments shape plant species distribution and diversity. Alexander's ongoing projects focus on reconnecting nature with people through museums, assessing risks and opportunities for assisted migration of threatened plant species in the Swiss Alps, and understanding the dynamics of alpine vegetation changes under climate change. His previous research has examined ecological consequences of novel plant-soil interactions due to climate shifts and the mechanisms behind range expansion in the context of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. With an educational background from ETH Zurich and Imperial College London, Alexander brings extensive experience in plant ecology, microbial feedbacks, and biogeochemical interactions in various ecosystems.

Research Interests

Experience

Senior Scientist

2023-01-01 — Present

ETH Zurich • Zürich, Switzerland

Senior scientist in the Plant Ecology group.

Assistant Professor (non-tenure track)

2019-01-01 — 2023-01-01

ETH Zurich • Zürich, Switzerland

Assistant Professor in Plant Ecology.

Assistant Professor (non-tenure track)

2016-01-01 — 2019-01-01

University of Lausanne • Lausanne, Switzerland

Non-tenure track position in Experimental Plant Ecology.

Visiting Scholar

2015-01-01 — 2015-01-01

University of California Santa Barbara • Santa Barbara, U.S.A.

Visiting Scholar in the Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology.

Senior Researcher (Postdoc)

2011-01-01 — 2016-01-01

ETH Zurich • Zürich, Switzerland

Senior researcher in the group of Jonathan Levine.

Postdoctoral Researcher/Lecturer

2007-01-01 — 2011-01-01

ETH Zurich • Zürich, Switzerland

Postdoctoral researcher and lecturer in the group of Peter Edwards.

Courses

Biology III: Essentials Ecology Plant Ecology

Requirements for ETH Zurich

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.4
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:159
Verbal Percentile
Required:80
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:81
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Writing Percentile
Required:85
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in a related field (Engineering, Natural Sciences, or Mathematics) Minimum 180 ECTS credits Subject-specific knowledge equivalent to ETH Bachelor's programs
Application Checklist
  • Bachelor's degree diploma or transcript
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Letter of Motivation (1 page)
  • Two academic recommendation letters
  • English language proficiency certificate
  • GRE General Test (for non-EU/EFTA applicants)
Specialization Notes

The GRE is mandatory for students who did not obtain their Bachelor's degree in an EU/EFTA state. Some departments (e.g., Computer Science) have specific ECTS credit requirements in core subjects.