PhD Position (Graduate Assistant) in microbial geochemistry of methane cycling

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 Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics (IDYST) at the Faculty of Geosciences and Environment is opening one 5-year part-time PhD position in the Micro-biogeochemistry Lab. This lab specializes in the application of interdisciplinary approaches – borrowing methods from the fields of microbiology, geology, chemistry, and isotope geochemistry – to solve complex environmental questions related to biogeochemical cycling, specifically cryptic processes which are often overlooked. The team is part of a highly collaborative network of working groups in the biogeosciences and values both positive professional and social dynamics.

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 : 80%

Workplace : Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment (FGSE), University of Lausanne (Mouline, Building Géopolis); with a 6-month research stay at the University of Vienna.

Your responsibilities

Background : Increased organic matter deposition to sediments in eutrophic lakes is expected to stimulate anaerobic carbon degradation process such as methanogenesis. How and to what extent microbial methane production and consumption are stimulated by increased organic matter and nutrient loading is currently under debate.

This PhD project will combine a variety of interdisciplinary methods to prove the activity and identity of methane-cycling microbes in a Swiss lake with a history of eutrophication.

Experience with soil or sediment microcosms along with an understanding of stable isotope (13C) tracing is desired. Methods to be applied may include but are not limited to: geochemistry (gas, solid-phase and porewater analyses), molecular microbiology (FISH, BONCAT, sequencing), and bioinformatics.

The successful candidate will also be involved in the supervision of MSc and bachelor’s students on various topics in the biogeosciences, possibly in collaboration with local and cantonal organizations. Some teaching assistance of both practical and theoretical courses in French will be expected starting at the latest in the second year. Contribution up to 25% towards teaching and other institutional activities, but minimum 50% dedicated to conducting research towards a Ph.D.

The highly interdisciplinary project will be co-supervised between the Universities of Lausanne and Vienna. Field work and most lab work will be hosted at the UNIL, with at least one research stay at the University of Vienna.

Your qualifications

To complete our team, we are looking for someone with the following desired qualifications and skills : 

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  MSc degree in environmental microbiology, molecular microbiology, or related domain

  
  


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  Comfortable with fieldwork

  
  


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  Enthusiasm for teaching and transmission of knowledge to junior researchers and students

  
  


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  Familiar with or willingness to learn field and laboratory techniques in geochemistry, molecular microbiology, and bioinformatics

  
  


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  Skilled in R, Matlab, or some other data-processing program

  
  


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  Excellent written and spoken English skills. It is expected that progress in spoken French will be made during the PhD

  
  


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  Able to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment

  
  

What the position offers you

We offer a nice working place in a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment. Opportunities for professional training, a lot of activities and other benefits to discover.

Contact for further information

Prof. Jasmine Berg (E-Mail schreiben)

Dr. Petra Pjevac (E-Mail schreiben)

Your application

Deadline : 16 March 2025

We look forward to receiving your online application in PDF format including the following documents:

• Cover letter. Please highlight previous relevant experiences and how they will help you complete the project along with your learning goals


• Curriculum vitae


• Copy of relevant university degree certificates


• Contact information for two professional 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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