Project Background 

The main objective of the project is to advance our knowledge of toxin fingerprints in cyanobacteria. We will advance suspect screening workflows to identify secondary metabolites in environmental samples and laboratory cultures by high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Controlled laboratory experiment will be designed to investigate transformation kinetics, particularly enzymatic pathways. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, we will explore lethal/sublethal effects on primary consumers at the base of the food web. The duration of the PhD position will be 4 years. The candidate will be based in the department of Environmental Chemistry at Eawag in Dübendorf supervised by PD Dr Elisabeth Janssen and the PhD degree will be awarded by ETH-Zürich Department of Environmental Systems Sciences. 

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated person with a creative and open mind, strong self-motivation, independence to explore new topics and fluency in English. Strong candidates hold a MSc degree in Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry or related fields. Previous experience in analytical chemistry (LCMS/MS), transformation studies of organic molecules, culturing of (cyano)bacteria, programming in R, and scientific writing will be valuable assets. 

Eawag is a modern employer and offers an excellent working environment where staff can contribute their strengths, experience and ways of thinking. We promote gender equality and are committed to staff diversity and inclusion. The compatibility of career and family is of central importance to us. For more information about Eawag and our work conditions please consult www.eawag.ch and www.eawag.ch/en/aboutus/working/employment. 

Applications must be submitted by 30 August 2024 or until the position is filled and should include a letter of motivation for this specific position (2 pages maximum), a CV, MSc and BSc grades, MSc and/or BSc thesis abstract (if applicable) and contact information of 2-3 academic references. The start date is flexible but would ideally begin mid-January 2025. 

For any questions, please contact Elisabeth Janssen, email E-Mail schreiben. 

We look forward to receiving your application. Please send it through this webpage, as any other way of applying will not be considered. A click on the button below will take you directly to the application form.