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EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

PhD Position in Microbial Ecology of Methane-Oxidizing Bacteria

Mission

The Microbial Physiology and Resource Biorecovery Laboratory (MICROBE), led by Dr. Wenyu Gu at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in Microbial Ecology.

We are looking for a highly motivated and talented PhD student to join our interdisciplinary team at the Institute of Environmental Engineering. The successful candidate will conduct cutting-edge research in applied and environmental microbiology, with a focus on the ecology of methane-oxidizing bacteria. These microbes play a central role in the global carbon cycle and have the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by oxidizing methane, even at atmospheric concentrations.

The research will investigate how interactions between methane-oxidizing bacteria and other microbial community members shape ecosystem function, and the role of metal competition in regulating microbial activity and methane oxidation. The project involves a combination of approaches, including high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics, isolation, cultivation, and physiological characterization of gas-utilizing bacteria, community-level activity and function analyses.

This project is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). The PhD candidate will collaborate closely with other PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, both within the group and across EPFL’s international research network.

Profile

  • Master’s degree in environmental engineering, microbiology, chemical engineering, or a related discipline
  • Demonstrated research experience (publications, thesis, or equivalent)
  • Prior experience in bioinformatics is an advantage
  • Strong communication and academic writing skills in English
  • Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, international environment

We offer

  • Mentoring and support for professional and personal development
  • A stimulating, multicultural research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities
  • Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and international networking
  • A world-class training environment within the ETH Domain.

Informations

The selection process involves multiple stages, and short-listed candidates will be requested to apply to a specific EPFL Doctoral Program to qualify for a PhD at EPFL, i.e. EDCE program. Please check this page for additional information on admission.

 

Please note that this is a separate application process necessary to be eligible to complete your PhD at EPFL.

 

Your application should contain:

  • A motivation Letter
  • Your detailed CV
  • Contact information
  • The names and contact information of 3 references willing to write a recommendation letters.

 

Application deadline: December 7th, 2025










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