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Postdoc in Microbiome Biology and Soil Microbial Ecology

Published
Workplace8046 Zürich-Affoltern ZH, Zurich region, Switzerland
Category
Position
Occupation rate
100%
Job Start1 April 2023, or as agreed

Agroscope is looking for a:

Postdoc in Microbiome Biology and Soil Microbial Ecology

good food, healthy environment
We are looking for a Postdoc in Microbiome Biology, Soil Microbial Ecology and Agroecosystem Functioning in the ’Plant-Soil Interactions’ Research Group.
From earlier work, we discovered that microbial network complexity depends on land-use intensity and that soil and root microbiomes differ according to agricultural management.

About us


Agroscope is the Swiss federal centre of excellence for research in the agriculture and food sector. Its researchers carry out their work at a number of sites in Switzerland. Headquartered in Bern-Liebefeld (as of 2025: Posieux, Canton of Fribourg), Agroscope is attached to the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER. Located in Zurich, the Department of Agroecology & Environment conducts research for an environmentally friendly and competitive agricultural sector.

Research will be conducted in the ’Plant-Soil Interactions’ Research Group within the Swiss National Science Foundation-funded project, ’Microbiome complexity and microbial keystone taxa as drivers of agroecosystem functioning’. This research group focuses on plant-soil-microbe interactions, soil biodiversity, the development of sustainable/ecological farming systems and soil ecological engineering. The ’Plant-Soil Interactions’ Group is a dynamic group of around 25 members consisting of staff, technicians, PhDs, students and visiting academics (?url=www.agroscope.ch%2Fsoil-ecology&module=jobs&id=226825" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=www.agroscope.ch%2Fsoil-ecology&module=jobs&id=226825" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.agroscope.ch/­soil-ecology).

Agroscope has excellent research facilities with well-equipped laboratories, greenhouses, climate chambers and agricultural fields. You will enjoy flexible working hours and good employee benefits.

Description

  • To test experimentally whether differences in microbiome characteristics influence ecosystem functioning
  • To perform microcosm experiments and test which microbiome traits are key for explaining plant growth and overall ecosystems performance (multifunctionality)
  • To assess plant and soil microbiomes using molecular tools
  • If time permits, to use metagenomics to assess the metabolic and functional potential of microbial communities.

Requirements

  • PhD in Microbial Ecology, Microbiome Biology, Ecology or Botany.
  • Expertise in one or more of the following subjects: microbial ecology, fungi, protists, viruses, molecular and microbiological methods
  • Experience in microbial community analysis using high-throughput sequencing, related bioinformatics and statistics (R) in microbial ecology or biodiversity research is of great advantage
  • An achievement-oriented and open-minded personality with a good capacity for teamwork
  • Knowledge of two official Swiss languages and English

We offer

Agroscope has excellent research facilities with well-equipped laboratories, greenhouses, climate chambers and agricultural fields. You will enjoy flexible working hours and good employee benefits.

The Federal Administration is attentive to the different needs and backgrounds of its employees and promotes diversity. Equal treatment is a top priority.

Contact and Address

If you are interested in this position and meet the requirements, we look forward to receiving your online application consisting of a single PDF containing your complete academic records, CV, list of publications, a copy of your PhD certificate and the names of 2 referees, at www.stelle.admin.ch, ref. no. 3904 (Please note that as English is not an official Swiss language, you will need to select German, French or Italian as your correspondence language).

Additional information can be obtained from Prof. Dr. Marcel van der Heijden, Head of the ’Plant-Soil Interactions’ Group, Tel.: +41 58 468 72 78; email: marcel.vanderheijdenagroscope.admin.ch (please do not send applications to this email address).

Start date: 1 April 2023, or as agreed. The position is limited until 31 March 2024, with an option to extend.

Reference number: JRQ$540-3904
Apply online

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