Technician in Biogeosciences 50%

WSL; Birmensdorf (ZH); Sur place; CHF 40 000 - 60 000; Temps partiel

Résumé du poste

WSL, based in Zürich, invites applications for a Technician in Biogeosciences. This two-year, 50% position involves preparing samples for stable carbon isotope and radiocarbon analysis, and collaborating with ETH Zurich on advanced laboratory methods.

You will train a PhD candidate and assist with logistics, including shipping samples to the USA, in a dynamic international team. The role requires a Master’s in environmental or earth sciences (or related) and experience with mass spectrometry or

Qualifications

• Master's degree in environmental or earth sciences or related disciplines.
• Experience with mass spectrometric methods for geochemical analysis and/or radiocarbon methods.
• Familiar with laboratory work; enjoy contributing to methodological advancements.
• Ability to work independently, be structured and accurate, communicative and team-oriented.
• Very good written and spoken English.

Responsabilités

• Prepare a range of sample types (gaseous, aqueous, and solid) for stable carbon isotope and radiocarbon analysis.
• Conduct radiocarbon and mass spectrometry analyses in collaboration with ETH Zurich.
• Process samples for other analyses (e.g., major ion concentrations, general chemistry).
• Support and train a PhD candidate and guests from partner universities.
• Assist with administrative and logistical duties, e.g., shipping samples to and from field sites in the USA.

Connaissances

Mass spectrometry

Radiocarbon analysis

Laboratory work

English proficiency

Team collaboration

Independence

Formation

Master's degree in environmental or earth sciences

Outils

Laboratory instruments

Description du poste

Technician in Biogeosciences 50% (f/m/d)

Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL is part of the ETH Domain. Approximately 600 people work on the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on the handling of natural hazards. The Research Unit Forest and Soil Ecology assesses the impact of climate change and management on forests and their soils. The group Critical Zone dynamics is offering a two-year position as

You will work within the recently funded SNSF project FIRE ("Fire Impacts on the Response of terrestrial Ecosystems"). This project investigates how wildfires affect carbon cycling and transit times at the landscape scale, particularly in the deeper unsaturated zone and in groundwater, and over longer periods of time. You will be part of an interdisciplinary team of collaborators based in Switzerland and the USA, and support the team in conducting geochemical analysis (particularly radiocarbon) on environmental samples from recently burned landscapes in the USA. Your main tasks will involve preparation of a range of sample types (gaseous, aqueous, and solid) for stable carbon isotope and radiocarbon analysis. This will be done in collaboration with our partners at the Laboratory for Beam Physics at ETH Zurich, where you will also frequently work. Processing of samples for other types of analysis, e.g., major ion concentrations, general chemistry, will also be part of your duties. You will support and train a PhD candidate and guests from our partner universities in the USA in laboratory procedures. Moreover, you will also assist the team with administrative and logistical duties, e.g., the shipping of samples and materials to and from field sites in the USA.

You preferably hold a Master's degree in environmental or earth sciences or related disciplines, and have demonstrated experience with mass spectrometric methods for geochemical analysis and/or radiocarbon methods. You are familiar with laboratory work, enjoy contributing to methodological advancements, and are interested in interdisciplinary and international research. You are able to work independently, are structured and accurate, communicative and team-oriented. You have very good written and spoken English language skills. You will be part of a vibrant research group and an international team of leading researchers in biogeosciences, paleoclimatology, and terrestrial geochemistry.

The position is based at WSL and initially fixed to two years with the option for prolongation for- additional two years.

WSL is committed to diversity and inclusion as core values. We actively promote gender equality and foster an open, inclusive work environment.

Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf