University of Bern
6 days ago
Postdoc in Environmental Chemistry and Gut Microbiology University of Bern in Switzerland
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Chemistry
Funding
Fixed-term 100% postdoc position at the University of Bern. Annual gross salary for 2025 is CHF 91,215 for full-time employment including the 13th month salary.
Deadline
Sep 30, 2026
Country
Switzerland
University
University of Bern

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About this position
Postdoc in Environmental Chemistry / Gut Microbiology at the University of Bern, Switzerland.
This is a 100% fixed-term postdoctoral position in an interdisciplinary project titled “Microbial Degradation of Arsenobetaine in the Human Gut: Implications for Dietary Arsenic Exposure and Risk Assessment.” The work sits across the Institute of Geography, the Institute for Infectious Diseases, and the Department for BioMedical Research in Bern.
The project is led by Prof. Adrien Mestrot (soil biogeochemistry / inorganic environmental chemistry), Prof. Siegfried Hapfelmeier (gut microbiology), and Prof. Stephanie Ganal-Vonarburg (immunology / microbiology). It combines environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, microbiology, toxicology, and human cohort-based translational research.
The successful candidate will develop and validate arsenic speciation methods using HPLC-ICP-MS/MS, establish experimental designs, culture human fecal microbiota from ongoing cohort studies, screen arsenobetaine transformation, test realistic exposure scenarios, and explore microbial determinants. The role also includes reporting, paper writing, scientific presentations, and HPLC-ICP-MS troubleshooting.
Applicants should hold a PhD in Environmental Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or a related field, with proven experience using hyphenated methods and independent HPLC-ICP-MS analysis of trace element species in non-water matrices. Experience with arsenic speciation is preferred. Strong English writing and communication skills, a solid publication/presentation record, and the ability to work precisely and independently in a team-based interdisciplinary environment are essential.
Additional assets include statistics and data visualization, method development/troubleshooting in HPLC-ICP-MS, microbiology, and incubations. The post is intended for an early-postdoc researcher with less than 3 years post-PhD experience.
Funding details: full-time employment with an annual gross salary of CHF 91,215 for 2025, including the 13th month salary. The position starts on 01.01.2027 or by arrangement.
How to apply: send a single PDF by email containing a 1-page motivation letter, CV, and the names/contact details of two referees to [email protected] before 30.09.26. For questions about the position, contact Prof. Adrien Mestrot.
Funding details
Fixed-term 100% postdoc position at the University of Bern. Annual gross salary for 2025 is CHF 91,215 for full-time employment including the 13th month salary.
What's required
PhD in Environmental Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or a related field; proven research experience with hyphenated methods; independent use of HPLC-ICP-MS to measure trace element species in matrices other than water; experience with arsenic speciation preferred; excellent English writing and communication skills; strong publication and presentation record; strong team orientation; precise, engaged, self-organized working style; willingness to work in an interdisciplinary setting with multiple supervisors. Experience in statistics and data visualization, method development/troubleshooting in HPLC-ICP-MS, microbiology, and incubations is an asset. Early-postdoc status of less than 3 years post-PhD is required.
How to apply
Send a single PDF by email containing a 1-page motivation letter, CV, and names with contacts of two referees. Submit before 30.09.26 to [email protected]. Direct questions about the position to Prof. Adrien Mestrot.
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