PhD Candidate in Agro-Economic Analysis of Legume-Cereal Mixtures / PhD Candidate in Agro-Economic Analysis of Legume-Cereal Mixtures

PhD Position: Agro-Economic Analysis of Legume-Cereal Mixtures (PhenoMix project)

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

This doctoral student position is part of the project PhenoMix: Multidimensional field phenotyping of crop mixtures, supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The position is hosted by the Crop Science group, a vibrant and interdisciplinary working group in the Institute of Agricultural Sciences at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich. Our group's phenotyping research focuses on the development of methods and models to determine traits of relevance for crop breeding and variety testing. The Agroscope research group Extension Arable Crops (Competence Division Plants and Plant Products) develops ecological solutions for disease, pest, and weed control and evaluates crop varieties for their suitability under Swiss conditions. It takes a holistic approach to create sustainable, cost-efficient, and climate-resilient arable farming systems.

Project Background

PhenoMix is a joint project of four research groups at ETH Zurich, the Swiss Data Science Center, and Agroscope. The overall objective of PhenoMix is to test the hypothesis that current high-throughput field phenotyping technology, in combination with plant physiological and ecosystem service assessments, can provide a breakthrough to determine genotypes that can be successfully combined in agroecologically beneficial legume-cereal mixtures. Different varieties of legumes (peas, lentils) and cereals (wheat, oats, barley) will be grown in pure stands and in mixtures on the field phenotyping platform FIP of the Crop Science group, on a neighboring experimental field, and on farmers' fields. The PhenoMix Work Packages address phenotyping, plant ecophysiology, data science, and agronomic-economic performance with four doctoral students, two postdocs, and several technicians assigned to those work packages. The Agro-Economic doctoral student will establish and monitor on-site and on-farm field experiments investigating several lentil-cereal mixtures by assessing various ecosystem services.

Job Description

This doctoral project will serve as a critical cornerstone within the framework of the entire project, with specific tasks designed to align with the other PhenoMix doctoral students and postdocs currently being recruited. Overall tasks of the project include:

• Planning, conducting, and evaluating field and post-harvest laboratory experiments.
• Performing statistical analyses, including AI-based approaches.
• Presenting results at national and international events and publishing in peer-reviewed and practice-oriented journals.
• Organizing national workshops for growers, the food industry, and consumers.
• Assisting in plot establishment, maintenance, monitoring, and harvest across all Work Packages of PhenoMix.

This full-time position is funded for four years. Salary and social benefits are provided according to ETH Zurich rules. The place of work will be at Agroscope in 8046 Zurich-Affoltern.

Profile

• A MSc degree in agricultural sciences, biology, ecology, or a related field.
• Strong interest in applied interdisciplinary research and enjoyment of complex field experiments.
• Experience in planning laboratory and field experiments, as well as in statistical analyses (e.g., R).
• Performance-oriented, team player with an open-minded personality.
• Excellent standard of written and spoken English.
• Good writing skills.
• Driver's license.
• Experience with niche crops and proficiency in German are beneficial.

Workplace

The successful candidate will work in a dynamic and inclusive environment at ETH Zurich, contributing to innovative research while having access to state-of-the-art facilities.

We Offer

• Your role will have a significant impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development but also actively contributes to positive change in society.
• You can expect numerous benefits, such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare, and attractive pension benefits.

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity, and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us—we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

We look forward to receiving your online application using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.