University of Neuchâtel

The University of Neuchâtel offers a stimulating research environment within a small setting. With 4’200 students, 22% of which come from abroad, the university’s small size encourages advanced training and fosters relationships between students and professors. Situated on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel between Geneva, Bern, and Zürich, Neuchâtel is a perfect place to undertake high-level research in an idyllic setting between lakes and mountains.

Homepage: https://www.unine.ch/envchem

The Environmental Chemistry Group of Prof. Laurel ThomasArrigo is offering 3 PhD positions in the Institute of Chemistry at the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland). The research will be conducted within the SNSF Starting Grant ‘‘MiMOC: Mineral-Mediated Organic Carbon dynamics in soils and sediments: Advancing understanding from the lab to the field’’. The project involves 3 PhD students and 1 Postdoc.

Project description. Iron mineral phases in soils play a key role in global element cycles. Yet our understanding of how fluctuating soil redox conditions affects mineral stability and transformation and impact the sequestration and/or mobilization of associated organic carbon is not clear. As part of a larger team, you will contribute to the development of novel approaches for investigating iron mineral transformations and the coupled fate of mineral-associated organic carbon in redox-dynamic soil and sediment environments. You will conduct laboratory and field studies on selected iron mineral transformation processes and their influence on carbon dynamics, using state-of-the-art experimental and analytical techniques including stable isotope tracers, synchrotron techniques, and XRD.

Main duties and responsibilities include

• Design and execute laboratory experiments
• Publish research results in international scientific journals
• Attend and present research at national and international conferences
• Participate in teaching and supervision of laboratory practical courses

Your profile

• MSc degree in a related field (e.g. environmental science, chemistry, mineralogy, ecology, soil science)
• Highly motivated to conduct scientific research in environmental biogeochemistry
• Good organizational and communication skills
• Knowledge in wet chemistry and lab techniques and a willingness to learn
• Experience with synchrotron techniques or XRD is an advantage
• Fluent English (written and spoken) is essential and basic French is an advantage

Start date: Summer 2025 (or upon agreement)
Duration: 4 years

Review of applications will begin March 1 and will continue until the positions are filled. To apply, please send the following documents as a single pdf file with the subject line ‘’PhD application_ [your name]’’ to laurel.thomas@unine.ch :

• A concise statement (2 page max.) describing your experience, motivation, and interest in the position
• Detailed CV including contact information for 2-3 references
• Copies of BSc/MSc transcripts

For further information please visit our website https://www.unine.ch/envchem/ or contact Prof. Laurel ThomasArrigo by email at laurel.thomas@unine.ch