Deadline: 31 December 2023

Would you like to work on the development of new tools and approaches to monitor environmental antimicrobial resistance and assess its fate in the 3D lake environment? The Microbial Ecology group of the department “Surface Waters - Research and Management”, Eawag, located in Kastanienbaum (Lucerne), is seeking candidates for a PhD position in environmental microbiology: “Tracking antimicrobial resistance contamination in the lake environment.

I. About the project

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global challenge requiring a One Health approach. For this PhD project, you will join the Microbial Ecology group at Eawag and work with its project team on establishing sequencing-based tools for quantitative and qualitative tracking of AMR in the environment. You will then apply these tools to study the spread of AMR from wastewater contamination in a lake environment, collaborating with Eawag modelers to track the contamination in 3D and to determine the decay or proliferation of wastewater bacteria and resistance determinants in the lake. You will perform experiments that further constrain the decay functions of microbial contaminants, providing the basis for improved water quality models.

II. Eligibility

• A highly motivated and talented person interested in a 4-year PhD positon.
• You have graduated in microbiology, environmental sciences or a similar program.
• You are interested broadly and can imagine yourself working on a topic that spans One Health, molecular methods, microbial communities and aquatic environments.
• You have gained first independent research experience in environmental microbiology or microbial ecology and ideally you have worked on antibiotic resistance.
• You are familiar with molecular methods such as metagenomics, qPCR and source-tracking and you have demonstrated your talent for academic writing.
• You are equally excited about lab- and fieldwork, bioinformatics and data analysis.
• You enjoy collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of scientists to advance a common goal. 

III. Benefits

• A fully funded PhD position for 4 years with a salary at competitive Swiss rates.
• Eawag offers an inspiring, collaborative and highly interdisciplinary research environment, state of the art laboratories, infrastructure for fieldwork and excellent working conditions.
• Your main place of work will be at our institute in Kastanienbaum at the shores of beautiful Lake Lucerne.
• Eawag is a modern employer and offers an excellent working environment where staff can contribute their strengths, experience and ways of thinking. They promote gender equality and are committed to staff diversity and inclusion. The compatibility of career and family is of central importance to them. For more information about Eawag and their work conditions please consult www.eawag.ch and www.eawag.ch/en/aboutus/working/employment.
• You will be enrolled as a PhD student at EPFL, one of Switzerland’s leading Universities. PhD applicants must be accepted by the EPFL doctoral school in order to pursue a PhD.  For more information, please see HERE

IV. Application process

• To apply, with more information click HERE

• To apply for this position, please submit the following documents:

1. Curriculum vitae (CV) detailing your academic qualifications and research experience
2. A cover letter describing your research interests, relevant skills, and how you meet the profile for this position
3. Proof of your MSc degree (or equivalent)
4. A transcript of academic records
5. Contact information for two potential referees

• Review of applications will begin on 26 November 2023 and the position will remain open until filled.
• The anticipated starting date for the position is January 2024 or by agreement.
• For further information please contact Dr. Helmut Bürgmann

V.  About Eawag

Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, is an internationally networked aquatic research institute within the ETH Domain (Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology). Eawag conducts research, education and expert consulting to achieve the dual goals of meeting direct human needs for water and maintaining the function and integrity of aquatic ecosystems.