Job Opportunities

The following positions are currently open:

Senior Scientist (permanent) in Analytical Biogeochemistry: A Senior Scientist position specialising in the development and application of advanced biogeochemical techniques (particularly spectroscopic, microscopic, microsensor approaches) is available at the University of Lausanne. The successful candidate will join the Biogeosciences unit. The Biogeosciences unit specialises in deciphering complex and dynamic microbe-mineral-organic matter interactions that regulate elemental cycling in soils and sediment. The Faculty of Geoscience and Environment is home to world-class analytical capabilities for the characterization of complex environmental samples. The candidate would develop innovative analytical approaches to describe and quantify dynamic biogeochemical processes in the environment, integrate them with novel experimental platforms, and support their use within the Biogeosciences unit.

Postdoctoral Researcher (4-year project) in Soil Microbial Dynamics: The successful candidate will perform research on the role of microbes in the formation of persistent soil carbon. Specifically, this SNF-funded project aims to determine how soil microhabitat characteristics and microbial traits interact to control carbon fate and persistence. A particular focus lies on defining the spatial organization, metabolism, and turnover of microbes within distinct soil microhabitats.  The candidate will manipulate synthetic microbial communities in model soil systems and track carbon dynamics within specific microhabitats using chemical imaging, isotopic labels, and -omics techniques. Results from this project will advance our mechanistic understanding of microbial controls on soil carbon persistence as well as inform efforts to mitigate carbon loss or enhance carbon storage in soils.  This project will be conducted within the framework of the Swiss National Center for Competence in Research Microbiomes (www.NCCR-microbiomes.ch) focused on understanding, controlling or restoring microbiomes in the environment.  The candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with and receive training from top exports in the fields of microbiology, genomics, and mathematic modeling across the NCCR. The successful candidate is expected to work collaboratively within the NCCR as well as a PhD student and the broader Soil Biogeochemistry group at UNIL. The Soil Biogeochemistry group has unique cabilities and extensive experience in micro/spectroscopy and microsensor measurements in (model) soil systems.  In sum, this position offers excellent opportunities to carry out cutting-edge research on soil microbial dynamics.

PhD position (4-year project) in Rhizosphere Biogeochemistry of Coastal Wetlands: The successful candidate will perform research on rhizophere biogeochemistry within salt marsh soils threatened by sea level rise. Specifically, this project aims to determine how oscillatory drivers (tidal oscillations and diel cycles) influence carbon processing and storage in the rhizosphere of salt marsh wetlands. A particular focus is the investigation of mineral and redox constraints on microbial carbon metabolism in the rhizosphere. This work will include growth chamber- and field-based experiments. The candidate will learn cutting-edge chemical and biological analyses, including microsensor, metabolomics, and spectroscopic approaches. Results from this project will advance our understanding of carbon storage within coastal march ecosystems and inform predictions of the vulnerability of this vast carbon reservoir to sea level rise. This project is part of a highly interdisciplinary Simons Foundation-funded research consortium exploring the hydro-biogeochemical functioning of coastal marsh ecosystems (“Ecosystem on the Edge: How Coastal Marsh Plants and Microbes Thrive in an Oscillating Environment”). The candidate will directly collaborate with international exports in hydrology, plant science, ecology, and microbiology within this research consortium. The successful candidate is expected to work collaboratively within this research consortium as well as a postdoctoral researcher in the Soil Biogeochemistry group at UNIL.

Other opportunities:

Our team is always looking for highly qualified candidates interested in pursuing MSc, PhD, postdoctoral research in the field of soil biogeochemistry.

MSc and PhD thesis topics frequently become available and we encourage suitable candidates to apply for third-party funded post-doc fellowships. We can provide all the necessary infrastructure and support to accepted candidates. Check out the following schemes:

If you are interested in any of the above, please don’t hesitate to contact Marco Keiluweit (marco.keiluweit(at)unil.ch).