Postdoc: Urban Tree Biodiversity via eDNA Metabarcoding

Eidgen; Birmensdorf (ZH); On-site; CHF 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WSL in Zürich invites applications for a PostDoc to assess biodiversity linked to native and non-native urban trees using throughfall DNA analysis. The project runs 2 years starting in January 2027.

You will plan, organize and conduct throughfall sampling in several Swiss cities and arboreta, process samples for metabarcoding in a modern lab, analyze data and publish results in international journals. Fluency in English is required; German/French is a plus.

Qualifications

• PhD in natural sciences with strong interest in urban ecology.
• Proven experience in metabarcoding and ideally eDNA, including practical wet lab expertise.
• Proficient in biodiversity and community analyses.
• Driving license category B.
• Very good oral and written skills in English and ideally German and/or French.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and conduct throughfall sampling in several cities and arboreta in Switzerland.
• Process throughfall samples for metabarcoding (filtering, eDNA extraction, PCR) in a modern molecular laboratory.
• Analyze data and publish results in international scientific journals.

Skills

Metabarcoding

eDNA

Biodiversity analyses

Urban ecology

Organizational

English

German/French

Education

PhD in natural sciences

Tools

Molecular lab experience

PCR & sequencing

Job description

WSL in Zürich invites applications for a PostDoc to assess biodiversity linked to native and non-native urban trees using throughfall DNA analysis. The project runs 2 years starting in January 2027.

You will plan, organize and conduct throughfall sampling in several Swiss cities and arboreta, process samples for metabarcoding in a modern lab, analyze data and publish results in international journals. Fluency in English is required; German/French is a plus.