Scientific assistant in the “PlAnt Characterization unit for closed life support system – engineering, MANufacturing & testing phase 2” (acronym PACMAN2) project of the European Space Agency

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100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Group of Plant Nutrition of ETH is recruiting a scientific assistant position in the “PlAnt Characterization unit for closed life support system – engineering, MANufacturing & testing phase 2” (acronym PACMAN2) project of the European Space Agency.

Project background

The European Space Agency’s (ESA https://www.esa.int/ ) project “Micro Ecological Life Support System Alternative” (acronym MELiSSA) is a research program aiming to develop an artificial ecosystem for regenerative life support systems for long-term space missions (http://www.melissafoundation.org/ ). At the same time, this program is an excellent model for addressing terrestrial challenges such as closing nutrient cycles between food production and consumers. As part of MELiSSA, the ESA has installed at the University of Naples Federico II (Italy) a plant growth facility (the Plant Characterisation Unit, PCU) allowing to grow plants hydroponically in a completely air and watertight system as a model for future space missions.

The project PACMAN2 aims at developing a “root observatory” for crops growing in this PCU. This observatory will be used to describe root growth and activity, including nutrient uptake, and to link root growth to shoot production and final crop yield. The role of ETH will be to prepare and carry out life tests on the modified PCU. We plan to conduct these tests with lettuce under different conditions such as increased salinity in the nutrient solution or decreased nutrient availability to mimic what could happen if the crop was grown with recycled astronaut’s urine.

This work will be done in close cooperation between the Group of Plant Nutrition of ETH, EnginSoft (Italy) a leading engineering software company that has designed the PCU, the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Space (CIRiS, Norway), and the Department of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Naples Federico II (Italy). In addition, we will work with the University Clermont Auvergne (France).     

Job description

We are looking for a scientific assistant who is highly motivated and has the necessary skills in growing plants in hydroponics and in wet chemistry to plan and carry out tasks both independently and in close cooperation with other teams. The candidate will be required to prepare and carry out life tests on the modified PCU. The candidate will also oversee the administrative tasks linked to ETH activities. The project is planned to start on November 1 2021 and will last till March 31, 2023.

Workplace: The scientific assistant will be based in the Group of Plant Nutrition, Research Station Lindau-Eschikon, ETH Zurich (www.plantnutrition.ethz.ch ), and will frequently travel to the PCU at the University of Naples Federico II.

Start: 1st of November 2021

Duration: 17 months (100% position)

Additional information: The scientific assistant will be supervised by Professor Dr Emmanuel Frossard and Dr Astrid Oberson from the Group of Plant Nutrition (ETH Zurich). The candidate’s salary will be in accordance with ETH Zurich regulations.

Keywords: MELiSSA, PCU, PACMAN2, plant, hydroponics, urine, phosphorus, nitrogen

Application deadline: October 15th, 2021 (or until a suitable candidate is found)

Project title: PACMAN2

Your profile

Applicants must have received a university degree or equivalent (MSc or similar). A background in one of the following or related disciplines is needed: microbiology, plant physiology, biotechnology, bioengineering or agricultural plant sciences. It is desirable that the candidate has hands on experience in plant cultures, microbiology, and/or molecular methods. It is required that the candidate has an advanced knowledge of written and spoken English.

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