Download The Group of Plant Nutrition and the Laboratory of

The Group of Plant Nutrition and the Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry at ETH
Zürich invite applications for a
PhD position in soil organic matter/phosphorus biogeochemistry
Soil organic matter is one of the most important components regulating the transfer of
nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems. An innate constituent of soil organic matter is that it
contains carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus. However, our understanding of how
phosphorus transfers through soil organic matter remains limited because information
on the chemical nature of soil organic phosphorus remains incomplete. It is thought that
a portion of this could be comprised of phosphomonoesters (R1-C-OPO3, where R1 is an
organic moiety) contained in polymeric structures of high molecular weight material.
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) is funding a PhD project to investigate
the chemical nature of organic phosphorus in soils. This will involve understanding the
molecular weight distribution of organic phosphorus in soil extracts and its chemical
nature. The project will provide new insight on the diversity and quantitative
determination of soil organic phosphorus, particularly those of: inositol phosphates,
nucleic acids, phospholipids, phosphonates and ‘unknown’ phosphomonoesters. The
project will involve the use of some of the most advanced and high-resolution
equipment/techniques at the ETH Zürich, including: nuclear magnetic resonance
spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography.
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate with the necessary skills to plan
and carry out tasks independently. The candidate will be required to travel to national
and international workshops/conferences, contribute to group activities, work in an
interdisciplinary team, and publish research findings in internationally peer-reviewed
journals.
Applicants must have received a university degree (MSc or similar) in one of the
following or related disciplines: chemistry, physics, earth, environmental or agricultural
science. It is desirable the candidate has prior experience in soil organic matter,
phosphorus biogeochemistry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, or
chromatographic techniques. The candidate requires proficiency in written and spoken
English.
The PhD candidate will be based at the Research Station Lindau-Eschikon campus of
the ETH Zürich, and also work at the Hönggerberg campus of the ETH Zürich. The
position is limited for 3 years. Preferred starting date is the 1st of March 2017.
For more information about the position please contact Dr. Timothy McLaren at
[email protected] and visit our websites: www.plantnutrition.ethz.ch (Group
of Plant Nutrition) and www.chab.ethz.ch/en/research/institutes/LAC (Laboratory of
Inorganic Chemistry).
We look forward to receiving your online application until the 1st of February 2017,
including a letter that clearly demonstrates your motivation and suitability for the
position, a curriculum vitae, full transcripts of your Bachelor and Master degree (or
equivalent), a copy of your diploma/Master degree thesis, academic certificates and
contact information of three referees.
Please submit your application online (use the “apply now” button at
https://apply.refline.ch/845721/5070/pub/1/index.html) and address it to: ETH Zürich, Mr.
Olivier Meyrat, Human Resources, CH-8092 Zürich. Applications via post or e-mail will
not be considered.