Alexander Mathys

The Sustainable Food Processing Lab at ETH Zurich, led by Professor Alexander Mathys, is seeking a highly motivated doctoral researcher to join a collaborative project focused on food processing for planetary and human health. The research aims to understand and improve how food processing affects both nutritional quality and environmental impact, with a vision to develop strategies that enhance nutritional value and sustainability as assessed by nutritional life cycle assessment (nLCA). The project will involve creating appealing hybrid protein-rich products and systematically integrating nutritional, health, and sustainability aspects into research activities. The lab is equipped with advanced pilot plants featuring multi-scale extruders, high-pressure and thermal treatment systems, and pulsed electric field (PEF) equipment. The doctoral researcher will use advanced analytical methods such as nutritional profiling, bioaccessibility studies, dynamic mechanical analysis, imaging, and spectroscopy to assess product quality. The position offers the opportunity to coordinate collaborations within the team and with external partners, ensuring a holistic approach to sustainable food processing. Applicants should have a strong background in food science, food engineering, chemical engineering, biology, nutrition, or related fields. Experience with food processing technologies and analytical methods is desirable. Candidates must be highly motivated, able to work independently and collaboratively, and possess excellent communication skills. Proficiency in English is required. The position is fully funded and based in Zurich, Switzerland. There is no fixed application deadline; the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Interested candidates should apply online via the ETH Zurich application portal and not contact Dr. Corina Sägesser directly for applications. For more information about the group and the application process, visit the Sustainable Food Processing Lab website and the ETH Zurich job portal. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates interested in sustainable food systems, nutritional science, and environmental impact assessment to contribute to innovative research at a leading global institution.

The Sustainable Food Processing Lab at ETH Zurich, led by Professor Alexander Mathys, is offering a fully funded PhD position focused on sustainability assessment for evaluating future global food systems. The research aims to develop and apply advanced sustainability assessment methods to support transformative changes in food systems worldwide. By integrating future projections, the project will identify improvement potentials in key value chains across diverse geographical contexts, considering nutrition, environmental, economic, and social dimensions. The position is based in the renowned ETH Zurich, Switzerland, within the Sustainable Food Processing Lab. The successful candidate will work in an interdisciplinary environment and collaborate closely with other research groups. The lab's research interests include sustainability assessment, food processing, and the development of innovative solutions for global food system challenges. Applicants should have a strong motivation for interdisciplinary research in sustainability assessment of food systems. A relevant background in environmental science, food science, sustainability, or related fields is expected. Experience with assessment methods and collaboration in research groups is advantageous. The position is fully funded, though specific stipend or tuition details are not provided. The start date is Spring 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. Applications must be submitted online via the ETH Zurich application portal. For further information about the group, visit the Sustainable Food Processing Lab website. Questions regarding the position can be directed to Dr. Léa Braud at [email protected] (no direct applications). ETH Zurich is a leading institution in sustainability and food systems research, offering a vibrant academic environment and excellent research facilities. Early application is encouraged as the position will remain open until filled.

ETH Zurich, one of the world’s leading universities in science and technology, is offering multiple fully funded PhD positions in the field of sustainable food systems. These positions are available within member groups of the World Food System Center and span a range of research areas including sustainability assessment, food processing, isotope hydrology, and food waste supply chains. The projects are hosted in the Department of Environmental Systems Science (D-USYS) and the Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST), with collaborations across groups such as the Sustainable Food Processing Group, Grassland Sciences, WaldLab Ecohydrology, Food Systems Economics and Policy, and Global Health Engineering. Research topics include: Evaluating novel mineral sources for treatment of micronutrient deficiencies in humans Sustainability assessment for evaluating future global food systems Food processing for planetary and human health Isotope-enabled evapotranspiration partitioning Food waste supply chains in rapidly urbanizing areas Supervisors include Prof. Dr. Alexander Mathys, Dr. Léa Braud, Dr. Corina Sägesser, Prof. Dr. Nina Buchmann, Dr. Marius Floriancic, Prof. Eva-Marie Meemken, and Prof. Elizabeth Tilley. The research is interdisciplinary, combining environmental science, biology, nutrition, economics, agriculture, and earth science. Projects may involve advanced laboratory work, fieldwork, data analysis, and international collaboration, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, food security, and innovative solutions for global challenges. Eligibility: Applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree and strong English skills. Additional requirements include experience in sustainability assessment, food technology, environmental or agricultural sciences, data analysis, and programming. Some projects require fieldwork, survey data collection, or a driver’s license. Candidates should be motivated, collaborative, and able to work independently. Funding: All positions are fully funded according to ETH Zurich rules, with salary and social benefits provided. Positions are typically for four years. Application: Applications must be submitted via the ETH Zurich online portal. Required documents include a motivation letter, research proposal, CV, diplomas, transcripts, and contact details for referees. Applications via email or post are not accepted. For questions, contact the listed supervisors by email (no applications). Deadline: The application deadline for the Food Waste Supply Chains position is February 27, 2026. Other positions remain open until filled; early application is encouraged. For more information, visit the provided links to the ETH Zurich job portal and group websites.

ETH Zurich’s World Food System Center is sharing multiple PhD and postdoctoral openings across food systems, sustainability, environmental science, agriculture, economics, chemistry, and biology-related research. Postdoctoral positions include: co-evaluating bio-inputs for smallholder farmers in Kenya with the Sustainable Agroecosystems Group (Prof. Johan Six), and stakeholder engagement with TdLab (Prof. Christian Pohl). PhD positions include research on PFAS pathways through soil–groundwater interfaces, circular economy and climate change resilience, pathways to a net-zero target for hard-to-abate Swiss emissions, plant metabolism and stable isotope biology (in collaboration with the University of Basel), and novel mineral sources for treating micronutrient deficiencies in humans. The page also lists additional PhD opportunities in sustainability assessment for future global food systems and food processing for planetary and human health. These openings are hosted by ETH Zurich and partner groups including Eawag and the University of Basel. The research themes are strongly interdisciplinary and connect food systems , sustainable agroecosystems , environmental processes , circular economy , agricultural economics , nutrition , and food processing . Eligibility and requirements are not fully detailed in the post, but applicants should be well matched to the relevant research area and prepared to work in an academic research environment. The World Food System Center also advertises a separate World Food Forum delegation opportunity for ETH Zurich students and researchers aged 35 or younger, with a deadline of 2026-06-03 . That delegation offers limited financial assistance of 400 CHF per delegate, while travel and hotel costs are self-funded. To apply, review the linked open positions page and follow the instructions for the specific role. For the World Food Forum delegation, submit a 1-page letter of interest and a 1-page CV by the deadline.

ETH Zurich is recruiting a doctoral student for a project on novel mineral sources for the treatment of micronutrient deficiencies in humans . The position sits at the interface of nutrition , public health , medical science , food science , and sustainability , with a focus on the absorption, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability of minerals from alternative sources such as microalgae and plant-based foods. The project is run jointly by the ETH Zurich Laboratory of Epigenetics, Nutrition and Metabolism and the Sustainable Food Processing Group in the Department of Health Science and Technology. The research background highlights global mineral deficiencies, especially iron, calcium, zinc, and magnesium, and the need for more sustainable, mineral-dense food sources. The successful candidate will summarize existing knowledge, design intervention meals, assess mineral bioaccessibility in vitro, evaluate mineral bioavailability, and carry out clinical trials related to human nutrition enriched with novel mineral sources. Additional responsibilities include supporting teaching, co-supervising MSc and BSc students, collaborating with academic and industry partners, and supporting grant applications and related activities across ETH-linked initiatives. The role is suitable for candidates with an MSc in Nutrition and Health, Clinical Trials, Food Science and Technology, or a related field, especially those with strong interest or experience in human/clinical work. A GCP certificate is compulsory, but it can be obtained after starting. Funding is provided as a fixed-rate standard monthly doctoral student salary according to ETH guidelines . The position is open to international students. Applications must be submitted through the ETH Zurich online application portal ; email and postal applications are not accepted. The call remains open until a suitable candidate is found, and the latest expected starting date is 2026-09-01 (earlier start preferred). Required application documents include a motivation letter, a research proposal, CV with two referees, degree certificates and transcripts, and copies of BSc/MSc theses if available. If the MSc is not yet completed, applicants should provide a supervisor statement confirming expected completion and submit the latest thesis draft.