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

Eidgen; Birmensdorf (ZH); On-site; CHF 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

WSL in Birmensdorf invites applicants for a Technician in Biogeosciences (50%). The role supports the SNSF FIRE project, focusing on preparing samples for stable carbon isotope and radiocarbon analysis, in collaboration with ETH Zurich.

You will train and assist a PhD candidate and partners in the USA, handle a range of samples (gaseous, aqueous, solid), perform additional analyses, and contribute to administrative tasks including shipping samples.

Qualifications

• Experience with mass spectrometric methods for geochemical analysis and/or radiocarbon methods.
• Familiar with laboratory work and methodological development.
• Able to work independently, structured and accurate, team-oriented, and fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Prepare a range of sample types (gaseous, aqueous, solid) for stable carbon isotope and radiocarbon analysis.
• Collaborate with ETH Zurich and international partners; support and train a PhD candidate and guests from partner universities.
• Process samples for other analyses (e.g., major ions, general chemistry).
• Assist with administrative and logistical duties, such as shipping samples to/from field sites in the USA.

Skills

Mass spectrometry

Radiocarbon analysis

Lab work

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree in environmental or earth sciences

Tools

Mass spectrometers

Job description

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

The 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 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.

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