Trainee position in carbon sequestration

Introduction

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

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Presentation

We are seeking a post-master trainee (with potential extension subject to funding) to support the CoalBack project on long-term carbon sequestration via wood burial in abandoned open-pit mines and quarries.

Job information

Expected start date in position : 01.06.2026 or upon agreement

Contract length : 6 months

Activity rate : 100 %

Workplace : Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, University of Lausanne

Your responsibilities

The trainee will contribute to quantifying wood supply potential and logistics in temperate regions, including estimates of harvestable biomass and how it is transformed when buried, transport impacts, and storage capacity at mine sites.

Tasks include literature review, data collection and processing (forestry inventories, growth rates, distances, and energy/emissions factors), development of simple mass- and carbon-balance calculations, and preparation of figures and short technical notes for funding and stakeholder outreach (e.g., BAFU and foundations).

The trainee will work with forestry and ecosystem experts and interact with project partners (INRAE Grenoble, BFH).

Your qualifications

Master’s degree in earth sciences, environmental sciences, forest or civil engineer, physicist or related field.

Strong quantitative skills and interest in physics-based reasoning within environmental domain and ability to synthesize results.

What the position offers you

We offer a nice working place in a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment. Opportunities for professional training, a lot of activities and other benefits to discover.

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Contact for further information

Prof. Michel Jaboyedoff (E-Mail schreiben).

Your application

Deadline : 07.05.2026

Please send the following documents in PDF format:
•    A cover letter introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying
•    Your CV
•    A copy of your master diploma
•    Contact information (names and email addresses) of two referees

Only applications through this website will be taken into account.

We thank you for your understanding.

Job description

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Additional information

Niveaux 1 à 12 :

UNIL is committed to:
•    equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
•    ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;
•    offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance.

unil.ch/equality
unil.ch/families

Niveaux 13 et + :

UNIL is committed to:
•    equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
•    ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;
•    offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance.

In order to increase the number of women in management positions, applications from women are particularly encouraged.

unil.ch/equality
unil.ch/families