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

Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL; Birmensdorf (ZH); On-site; CHF 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL invites applications for a position focusing on geochemical analysis of environmental samples from burned landscapes within the FIRE project. The role centers on radiocarbon analysis and stable carbon isotopes, in collaboration with ETH Zurich.

The successful candidate will prepare samples, work in an international team, train a PhD candidate and visiting researchers, and contribute to administrative tasks including shipping

Qualifications

• Master's degree in environmental or earth sciences.
• Experience with mass spectrometric or radiocarbon analysis.
• Strong written and spoken English, and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Prepare samples for stable carbon isotope and radiocarbon analyses.
• Collaborate with ETH Zurich partner Laboratory for Ion Beam Physics.
• Support and train a PhD candidate and visiting researchers.
• Assist with administrative and logistical duties, including shipping samples.

Skills

Mass spectrometry

Radiocarbon analysis

Laboratory work

English proficiency

Education

Master’s degree in environmental or earth sciences

Tools

Mass spectrometers

Ion beam instruments

Job description

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 Ion 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.

Franziska Lechleitner, [e-mail], will be happy to answer any questions or offer further information.

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