PhD Position in Tropical Organic Geochemistry: Modern and Ancient Microbial Drivers of Biogeochemical Cycling
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PhD Position in Tropical Organic Geochemistry: Modern and Ancient Microbial Drivers of Biogeochemical Cycling
100%, Zurich, fixed-term
We seek a highly motivated PhD student for a multidisciplinary project across two groups: (i) The Surface Earth Evolution (SEE) group in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at ETHZ is committed to investigating the processes that drive global climate change over human to geologic timescales. (ii) The Sustainable Agroecosystems (SAE) group in the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETHZ is dedicated to bringing healthy food from fields to tables around the world for generations to come. Combined, our work intersects traditional Earth- and environmental-science fields to holistically study the drivers and impacts of changing climate and land use. We effectively integrate field-based sample collection and monitoring with lab-based biogeochemical measurements.
Project background
This position is part of the SNSF-funded project “Constraining tropical wetland greenhouse gas production today and through time: insights from Tumba-Ngiri-Maindombe, Democratic Republic of Congo (LacMai)”, which aims to mechanistically constrain the climatic and anthropogenic controls on greenhouse-gas (i.e., carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) emissions in Tumba-Ngiri-Maindombe, a severely understudied region that houses the world’s largest tropical wetland. To do so, we will sample greenhouse gases, peatland soils, and lake sediments, and we will analyze these using isotopes, biomarkers, and DNA-based methods.
This PhD student will lead the biomarker component of this interdisciplinary project. Using state-of-the-art organic geochemical techniques, you will identify and reconstruct how biogeochemical cycles and microbial communities have responded to climatic shifts over the past 12,000 years (i.e., the Holocene).
Job description
- Perform fieldwork: Participate in sampling expeditions to DR Congo to collect high-resolution, pristine sediment records from Lake Mai Ndombe and surrounding peatlands, ensuring appropriate preservation for organic geochemical analyses
- Describe sediments: Build lake sediment- and peat-core age models in collaboration with ETH’s cutting-edge radiocarbon facility. Interpret how sediment sources and accumulation rates have evolved over the Holocene
- Reconstruct ecosystems: Use ancient pollen and charcoal signals preserved in sediments to determine how climate and landscape vegetation have evolved over the Holocene
- Analyze biomarkers: Extract and quantify sedimentary biomarkers that are diagnostic of specific greenhouse gas-producing and -consuming microorganisms. Reconstruct how greenhouse gas cycling has evolved over the Holocene
- Communicate findings: Attend international conferences and workshops and write scientific papers
This position is integral to the research team, which includes 2 PhD students, 2 senior scientists, and several technicians across two research groups. You will therefore lead these tasks but will be supported by all involved PIs and researchers. This multidisciplinary team offers the opportunity to learn, develop, and apply scientific skills beyond traditional organic geochemistry!
Profile
- Education: MSc degree in geochemistry, geology, or a related field
- Wet-lab experience: Familiarity with geochemical and/or sedimentological techniques (e.g., organic or inorganic isotope analysis); prior experience working with biomarkers or in a similarly controlled laboratory environment is a strong asset
- Computational skills: Experience with data reduction and analysis techniques (e.g., statistical methods, numerical models) is highly desirable
- Remote fieldwork: Willingness to conduct fieldwork in a remote tropical environment
- Communication: Proficiency in written and spoken English and ability to communicate in a cross-cultural environment. Knowledge of French is a plus (for fieldwork)
- Personal attributes: Ability to work independently with flexibility, critical thinking, and a willingness to learn new skills
Workplace
Workplace
We offer
- A fully funded 4-year PhD position embedded in the SEE group.
- The opportunity to work in a unique, understudied region of high scientific and climatic value.
- Excellent, inclusive working conditions, a strong international network, and an internationally competitive salary (paid according to ETH standards).
We value diversity and sustainability
Curious? So are we.
We look forward to receiving your online application until 15.03.2026 with the documents:
- Curriculum Vitae including educational history, any publications, awards, etc.
- BSc and MSc transcripts (in English or German)
- Motivation letter (~2 pages) describing your interests and relevant experience
- Contact details of two references
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview by 31.03.2026. Start date will ideally be June-July 2026. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Jordon D. Hemingway, jordon.hemingway@eaps.ethz.ch.
Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.