Postdoctoral Researcher (1er Assistant.e) in Soil Biogeochemistry

Introduction

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

Presentation

The Soil Biogeochemistry group (Prof. Dr. Marco Keiluweit) at the University of Lausanne is filling a 5-year Postdoctoral Researcher Position in Soil Biogeochemistry. The initial appointment is for 1 year, but will be renewed for up to 5 years based on performance.

Job information

Expected start date in position : 01.09.2025 or to be agreed

Contract length : 1 year, renewable 2 x 2 years, maximum 5 years

Activity rate : 100%

Workplace : Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics (IDYST), Faculty of Geosciences and Environment (FGSE), University of Lausanne

Your responsibilities

The successful candidate will join a strong and growing Soil Biogeochemistry group studying the interactions of minerals, microbes, and organic matter in the face of climate change.

The candidate is expected to develop and lead research on the dynamics of microbe-mineral-organic matter interactions in the rhizosphere, and their vulnerability to climate change drivers.

Our group offers the opportunity to conduct laboratory-, growth chamber- or field-based experiments. The candidate will also have access to cutting-edge geochemical and molecular approaches, including stable isotope tracers, spectro/microscopic techniques, and microsensors.

The candidate is expected to work collaboratively within our group and utilize an extensive network of international collaborators across Switzerland, Europe, and the US. The candidate will also contribute to mentoring of Bachelor and Masters students and assist with a Masters-level field and laboratory courses; overall contribution up to 25% towards teaching and other institutional activities.

Your qualifications

To expand our Soil Biogeochemistry group, we are looking for someone with the following background:

• Successfull candidates will have an excellent PhD in biogeosciences, geochemistry, microbiology, or related field


• Strong motivation to develop independent research on microbe mineral-organic matter interactions in soils, with the possibility to apply for external funding.


• Excellent knowledge of biogeochemical processes within soils, particularly plant-microbe-mineral interactions, is a requirement.


• Prior experience with spectroscopic, microscopic, and mass spectrometry tools to characterize minerals and organic matter is required.


• Familiarity with experiments in plant and soil sciences, basic wet chemical lab procedures and analyses, and data analysis is required.


• Excellent skills in written and oral English are required. Working knowledge of French is preferable but not necessary.


• Candidates with diverse backgrounds, well-honed interpersonal skills and an ability to work well within a multicultural team are particularly strongly encouraged to apply.

What the position offers you

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students, situated on the shores of Lake Geneva. UNIL is internationally recognized for cutting-edge research in the geosciences, and shares a campus and resources with EPFL. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

The Soil Biogeochemistry group within the Faculty of Geoscience and the Environment offers a vibrant work place in a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment. The resources available in the Faculty as well as UNIL more broadly offer extensive opportunities for technical and professional training, international collaboration, personal growth. We offer a full-time postdoctoral position at a competitive salary (82 92K CHF/year, maximum of 5 years) in an enriching academic environment.

- Information on the salary scale: https://www.unil.ch/files/live/sites/unil/files/05-travailler/0503-avantages/24-bareme-assistants-doctorants.pdf

- Information on postdoctoral life at UNIL: https://www.unil.ch/unil/en/home/menuinst/recherche/soutien recherche/recherche-postdoctorale.html.

- The employment conditions are available here: https://www.unil.ch/unil/en/home/profils/collaborateurs collaboratrices.html

Contact for further information

Questions regarding the application can be addressed by email to Prof. Dr. Marco Keiluweit (E-Mail schreiben). But you MUST only apply online.

Your application

Deadline : January 30 2025

Please, send your full application in Word or PDF. This should include:

- Motivation letter

- Curriculum Vitae

- Copy of University degree certificates

- Contact information for two academic references.

Only applications through this website will be taken into account.

We thank you for your understanding.

Additional information

UNIL is committed to:
•    equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
•    ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;
•    offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance;
•    supporting early career researchers.

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