Biomarker lipids for past environmental change - PhD position

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Earth Ecosystem Dynamics Group (Geological Institute, Department of Earth Sciences) at ETH Zurich is looking for a highly motivated PhD student with an interest in past environmental changes, soil chemistry, and organic geochemistry, to work on developing lipid-based proxies for soil fertility (defined here as the presence of nitrogen fixers and nitrifiers). Your research will be part of the funded SNSF starting grant research project ROOTS (PI: Prof. Cindy De Jonge): “Reconstructing soil fertility across Time and Space”, which will consist of 2 PhD students and a post-doc by the end of 2024.

Project background

Currently, soils store a large fraction of the CO2 emitted into the atmosphere. However, whether they will continue to do so in the future is unclear, as soil fertility potentially limits the amount of primary production (carbon fixation) and belowground carbon storage. Current experimental approaches reveal a complex interaction between the above- and belowground ecosystem, and its chemical environment. A historical perspective, i.e. looking at past changes in soil fertility and carbon storage, can elucidate these processes on timescales that exceed experimental approaches (decades to millennia). While changes in atmospheric CO2 and climate are well constrained using a combination of direct measurements and estimates based on proxies, we currently have no methods to reconstruct soil fertility through time.

Job description

In this project, you will develop biomarker lipid proxies that allow quantifying soil nitrogen fixers and nitrifiers. Using a combination of bacterial cultures and environmental gradients in nitrogen availability, a suite of biomarker lipids will be targeted, from bacterial fatty acids to novel compounds identified using high-resolution mass spectrometry, such as bacteriohopanepolyols. The research will require an interest in applying mass spectroscopic techniques, statistical approaches to develop calibrations, and generate environmental reconstructions through time.

Your profile

• We are looking for a highly motivated researcher to perform this research, with a relevant MSc degree (i.e., earth sciences, environmental sciences).
• You should be able to outline experience in organic geochemistry, mass-spectrometry or other lab-based analytical methods and interest or experience in tracing soil microbial processes.
• As the position is within an international and interdisciplinary scientific environment, active collaborations within and outside the group require an inclusive mindset to cross boundaries of disciplines and cultures.
• You should ideally also demonstrate previous fieldwork experience, as brief field campaigns within Europe are planned to recover soil cores and soil surface samples samples (~1-2 weeks).
• Good oral and written communication skills in English are expected to be obtained during the position.

Furthermore, we aim to maintain and expand our diversity and thus, we encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply.

Your workplace

Your workplace

We offer

We offer guidance and facilities to ensure that you will learn state-of-the-art analytical techniques and develop research concepts that cross scientific boundaries. You will be embedded in a group that promotes maintaining a good work-life balance and stimulates scientific integrity by providing excellent scientific support. The research training addresses field, numerical, statistical, and laboratory skills, equipping you for a career across a range of professions, including academia. Furthermore, you will learn essential communication skills by presenting at national and international conferences, and by writing peer-reviewed publications and a PhD thesis. We offer a fully funded four-year PhD that will start in the spring or summer of 2024 (latest: 31/07/2024), under the mentorship of Prof. Cindy De Jonge (supported by a doctoral committee).

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Curious? So are we.

For your application, we ask for:

• a curriculum vitae (max: 2 pages) that includes contact details of 2 references (no reference letters need to be submitted yet)
• a motivation letter for this specific position, indicating specifically how you fill the requirements for this position that are outlined above (max: 2 pages).

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through the online application portal before February 2nd, 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted before February 15th, 2024, followed by online interviews, and a potential visit to ETH Zurich in March or April.

For further information about the Earth Science Department please visit our website . Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. De Jonge by email at [email protected] (no applications).

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.