PhD Position in Environmental Biogeochemistry of Managed 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 fertilizers and targeted additives influence agricultural soils, with a focus on greenhouse gas emissions, soil organic carbon quantity and quality, and microbially driven processes. Building on an ongoing field-scale experiment under real-world farm management, the project will monitor CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄ fluxes alongside crop performance and seasonal changes in soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. The work will combine high-frequency field measurements and repeated soil/crop assessments with laboratory incubations designed to isolate specific mechanisms—linking additive chemistry to microbial pathways, redox and nutrient cycling, and soil organic matter stabilization. Together, these activities will determine how fertilizer–additive strategies alter greenhouse gas budgets, transform the properties and stocks of soil carbon, and reshape microbial functions, providing actionable guidance for climate-smart, regenerative management of agricultural soils.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Take full responsibility for your dissertation
- Conduct research in close collaboration with external partners and 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: 30. 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