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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 Biogeochemistry of Alpine Soils

Mission

The Soil Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SOIL) at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, invites applications for a fully funded PhD position. We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to join our interdisciplinary team in the Institute of Environmental Engineering, based at the Alpine and Polar Environments Research Center (ALPOLE) in Sion.

Project description

The successful candidate will investigate how spatial and seasonal variability in soil redox processes controls soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover across Swiss alpine watersheds. Building on extensive prior field campaigns, the project will focus on the cold season: which redox processes proceed beneath snow, how they evolve during freeze–thaw, and how winter dynamics influence carbon preservation or turnover during snowmelt and into summer. The work will combine field analyses of seasonal redox dynamics across topographic and hydrologic gradients, bulk-soil and column incubations under controlled conditions, and mechanistic laboratory studies to identify the drivers and kinetics of redox processes observed in the field. Together, these activities will clarify the processes that govern SOC stability in alpine soils and how shifting winters may alter carbon cycling in high-elevation landscapes.

Main duties and responsibilities

  • Take full responsibility for your dissertation
  • Conduct research in close collaboration with other group members
  • Design and execute laboratory experiments
  • Design and carry out field work
  • Complete coursework required by the doctoral school
  • Write scientific articles for peer-reviewed journals
  • Assist in teaching and supervise student projects
  • Present at national and international conferences
  • Actively shape group life and take on responsibility

Profile

  • Master’s degree in environmental science, soil science, or a related discipline
  • Demonstrated research experience (publications, thesis, or equivalent)
  • Critical thinking and rigor in experimental work
  • Strong communication and academic writing skills in English
  • Familiarity with wet-chemistry approaches and soil characterization
  • Field experience is an advantage
  • Self-motivated, independent, and collaborative mindset

We offer

  • Mentoring and support for professional and personal development
  • A stimulating research environment with state-of-the-art facilities
  • Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and international networking
  • Competitive salary and excellent working conditions

Informations

 

Your application should include:

  • Motivation letter
  • Detailed CV
  • Transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
  • Contact information
  • Names and contact details of three referees willing to provide reference letters

Application deadline: 15. November 2025

The selection process involves multiple stages. Short-listed candidates will be asked to apply to an EPFL Doctoral Program to qualify for a PhD at EPFL (separate admissions process). Please consult the EPFL Doctoral School admissions page for details.

For more information, please contact meret.aeppli@epfl.ch. Only applications submitted through the online platform will be considered.

 

Start date: January 2026 (negotiable)
Work rate: 100%
Duration: 1-year fixed-term contract (CDD), renewable up to 4 years










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