PhD Position in Microbial Physiology and Biotechnology: Physiology and Ecology of Methanogens

Summary

The EPFL is seeking a PhD student to join the Microbial Physiology and Resource Biorecovery Laboratory. The successful candidate will conduct research in applied and environmental microbiology, focusing on the physiology and genetic regulation of methane-producing archaea. The project will combine experimental and computational approaches, and the PhD candidate will collaborate with other researchers within the laboratory and across EPFL's international research network.

Key Facts

Department	Institute of Environmental Engineering
Position Type	PhD
Discipline	Microbial Physiology and Biotechnology
Research Area	Physiology and Ecology of Methanogens
Degree Required	Master's degree
Experience	Demonstrated research experience
Salary	Fully funded
Funding	Fully funded PhD position
Contract Duration	One-year contract, renewable annually for up to four years
Language	English
Required Documents	Motivation letter, Detailed curriculum vitae (CV), Contact information, Names and contact details of three references

About the Project

The research will investigate how methanogens respond to dynamic environmental conditions and interact with other members of microbial communities, advancing our understanding of the ecological mechanisms governing methane production and informing future biotechnological applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge research in applied and environmental microbiology
• Investigate how methanogens respond to dynamic environmental conditions
• Interact with other members of microbial communities
• Combine experimental and computational approaches

Required Skills

• Strong communication and scientific writing skills in English
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative and international research environment
• Prior experience in wet-lab microbiology and/or bioinformatics is an advantage

Who Should Apply

Highly motivated and talented PhD students with a Master's degree in environmental engineering, microbiology, chemical engineering, or a related discipline.

Benefits

• Mentoring and support for professional and personal development
• A stimulating, multicultural research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and international networking
• A world-class training environment within the ETH Domain

About the Employer

The EPFL is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the start date of the PhD position?

Flexible

What is the contract duration of the PhD position?

One-year contract, renewable annually for up to four years

What are the required application materials?

Motivation letter, Detailed curriculum vitae (CV), Contact information, Names and contact details of three references