Advertiser's description (via Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL):
The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL is one of the world's leading research institutions in the field of organic agriculture and employs around 300 people in Switzerland. FiBL's strengths are interdisciplinary research, joint innovations with farmers and the food industry as well as rapid knowledge transfer. FiBL Switzerland's expertise is also in demand beyond the country's borders. It is therefore involved in numerous international projects, research, extension and training, as well as development cooperation.
Starting from 1.4.2025 (negotiable), the Department of Food System Sciences is looking for a qualified PhD student on sustainability assessment of European dietary patterns (100%, 4 years).
As a PhD student, you will
- Model the environmental, social and economic impacts of food items differentiated by geographic origin and production system (e.g. organic agriculture)
- Assess the impacts of selected European dietary patterns and food baskets with respect to environmental, social, economic and human health aspects
- Evaluate trade-offs and synergies within and between the dimensions of sustainability
Your profile
- MSc degree in the field of environmental sciences, nutrition sciences, agricultural sciences, food technology, economics or related fields. Students with other backgrounds may also apply
- Experience with handling complex data and writing model code, ideally in R and/or Python
- Experiences with life cycle assessment or environmental modelling are desirable
- Strong motivation to complete a PhD, develop excellent research skills through further training and supervise students at bachelor’s and master’s level
- Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary research team, and carry out independent individual research, to achieve team goals
- Strong oral and written communication skills in English
What we offer
A full-time position for a duration of 48 months (4 years) at an interdisciplinary research group focused on sustainable agriculture and food systems. You will be part of a dynamic team with shared values about making the food system more sustainable and using solution-orientated research to achieve that goal. The PhD builds on existing research from the Department of Food System Sciences (e.g. the SOL-Model) and is financed through the EU-Horizon Project FOODTURE, which will start in January 2025. As a part of this consortium, you will get the opportunity to collaborate with scientists from different European institutions.
FiBL offers a workplace culture characterised by efficient, uncomplicated work and numerous opportunities to help shape the institute. As a research institute with a great global network, we consider training opportunities and further education for our employees highly important. Arrangements for working from home, flexible annual working hours and the possibility of part-time work create a good work-life balance. FiBL employees also enjoy excellent organic food at our in-house restaurant and a workplace surrounded by a lush and green landscape.
Does this position interest you? Christian Schader (phone: +41 62 865 04 16) will be happy to answer any further questions.
We look forward to receiving your application documents by 31.1.2025.
Contact
Christian Schader
+41 62 865 04 16
