We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to join an interdisciplinary project cluster on the processes of initial soil formation in an alpine glacier forefield.The PhD project addresses the most important gaps in the biogeochemical knowledge of weathering processes that are crucial for the supply of nutrients required by the pioneering life. The main objectives are focused on the processes at the mineral-water-biota interfaces.
The interdisciplinary approach of the project requires strong interests in environmental geochemistry, microbiology and mineralogy.
Education The successful candidate must have a master degree, diploma or equivalent degree in geosciences, environmental sciences, chemistry, or microbiology.
Fluent proficiency in English is highly desirable.
The position is build o a collaboration between the groups of Environmental Geochemistry (Gerhard Furrer)
http://www.ibp.ethz.ch/people/gerhardf/index
Environmental Engineering and Clay Mineralogy (Michael Plötze)
http://www.igt.ethz.ch/get.asp?name=plötze
Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (Helmut Brandl):
http://www.unizh.ch/uwinst/index.php?site=research/groups/HelmiGroup
Contact address Prof. Gerhard Furrer, ETH Zurich, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, CHN F 50.2, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Email gerhard.furrer@env.ethz.ch
http://www.ethz.ch
