PhD Positions in Tropical Organic Geochemistry and Geomicrobiology at ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is offering two fully funded PhD positions as part of the SNSF-funded LacMai Project, a multidisciplinary collaboration between the Sustainable Agroecosystems (SAE) and Surface Earth Evolution (SEE) groups. The project investigates the climatic and anthropogenic controls on greenhouse gas emissions in the Tumba-Ngiri-Maindombe region, the world's largest tropical wetland, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The research aims to reconstruct biogeochemical cycles and microbial community evolution over the last 12,000 years (Holocene) using advanced organic geochemistry and geomicrobiology techniques. Position 1: Organic Geochemistry focuses on using biomarkers, isotopes, and sediment age-modeling to reconstruct ancient ecosystems and greenhouse gas cycling. The successful candidate will lead the biomarker component, analyzing sedimentary biomarkers, building age models, and interpreting sediment sources and accumulation rates. Fieldwork includes sampling expeditions to DR Congo, with lab-based analyses at ETH Zurich. Position 2: Geomicrobiology centers on using ancient DNA and shotgun metagenomics to identify microbial drivers and metabolic capacity in tropical lake sediments. The candidate will perform DNA extraction, qPCR, ribosomal metabarcoding, and advanced bioinformatics to profile microbial communities and their adaptation to environmental changes. Both positions require an MSc in a relevant field (geochemistry, geology, (geo)microbiology, molecular ecology, or related), experience with laboratory techniques (e.g., isotope analysis, DNA extraction, PCR), and computational skills for data analysis. Willingness to conduct remote fieldwork in tropical environments and proficiency in English are essential; French is a plus. The research environment is highly interdisciplinary, offering opportunities to collaborate with scientists across multiple disciplines and to participate in international conferences and workshops. Funding is fully provided for four years, including a competitive salary according to ETH standards, excellent working conditions, and support for research and fieldwork. The application deadline is 15 March 2026, with interviews for shortlisted candidates by 31 March 2026. Applications must be submitted online via the ETH Zurich job portal and include a CV, transcripts, motivation letter, and references. For further information, contact Dr. Martin Hartmann or Prof. Jordon D. Hemingway. Keywords: tropical wetlands, organic geochemistry, geomicrobiology, biogeochemical cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, Holocene, ancient DNA, biomarkers, climate change, sediment analysis.