About Agroscope
Agroscope is the Swiss federal centre of excellence for research in the agriculture and food sector.
Its researchers work at a number of sites in Switzerland, with headquarters located in Bern-Liebefeld (as of 2026: Posieux).
PhD Student Position
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join our team in the Climate and Agriculture Research Group.
The successful candidate will be working on the project 'RiceClim', which aims to reduce the environmental impacts of agricultural use of carbon-rich soils while maintaining productivity.
Job Responsibilities
* Planning and conducting experiments on CO2, CH4, N2O emissions from rice cultivation in mesocosms outdoors and in the laboratory.
* Conducting molecular analyses to evaluate microbial diversity of various soils using high-throughput DNA sequencing and quantitative PCR.
* Measuring 13CO2 and 13CH4 fluxes in isotope-labelling experiments to quantify contributions of various carbon sources.
* Analysing measured data with available and self-written scripts.
* Linking greenhouse-gas measurements, especially of methane, with soil properties and microbial communities.
Requirements
* Master's or equivalent university degree in Environmental Sciences, Soil Science, Biology, Ecology, Agricultural Sciences, or a related field.
* Initial experience in gas-measurement techniques and/or molecular analyses.
* Strong interest in agroecological processes and relevant experimental studies.
* Experience with statistics and/or bioinformatics and programming skills in R an advantage.
* Enjoyment of field and laboratory work (independently and in a team).
* Knowledge of two official Swiss languages and English.
About the Team
We are committed to the successful Swiss model and work for the public good.
Our team values diversity and equal opportunities, drawing on expertise and contributing different perspectives.
We support and advise employees in physical and mental health, promoting a healthy work environment.