PhD position in Experimental Soil Hydrogeochemistry

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

The Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics ( IDYST ) is inviting applications for a fully-funded Ph.D position in Experimental Soil Hydrogeochemistry within the Hydrology group (Principal Investigator : Prof. Paolo Benettin).

Job information

Expected start date in position : 01.01.2027/ to be agreed

Contract length : 1 year initially, extension up to 4 years

Activity rate : 100%

Workplace : Lausanne Mouline (Géopolis building)

Your responsibilities

The Ph.D. candidate will design and perform a series of experiments at the Unil Ecotron facility , to investigate how vegetation regulates soil water fluxes and geochemical reactions, expecially during dry periods. The facility already includes a programmable climate chamber with three soil columns and a range of sensors, and additional sensors can be acquired during the project. Depending on the candidate's interests and skills, the work may combine a range of methods, including analyses of major and trace elements, measurements of vegetation activity, tracer experiments and hydrogeochemical modelling. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of droughts, this Ph.D. project offers the opportunity to understand and anticipate drought impacts on water resources and ecosystem degradation, while developing expertise at the interface of hydrology, soil geochemistry, and ecosystem science.

80% of the employment time will be dedicated to completing the doctoral thesis (PhD research); the remaining 20% will be dedicated to teaching assistant and support duties within the institute.

You are expected to :

• Design and conduct innovative experiments


• Operate the Ecotron facility and its network of ~80 sensors throughout the project


• Lead scientific articles in international peer-reviewed journals


• Participate in international conferences and project meetings in lausanne and Paris


• Participate in approximately one week of fieldwork per year at the Critical Zone Observatory of Mt Lozère, France


• Make your research workflow (data, code, protocols...) open and reproducible


• Openly discuss research obstacles and seek advice/help in the group


• Actively participate in creating a collaborative and inclusive culture

Your qualifications

• Background in disciplines like Environmental Science, Soil Science/Physics, Biogeochemistry, Experimental Ecology, Hydrology, Civil/Environmental Engineering, or closely related disciplines.


• Previous experience with experimental work. Examples may include deploying sensors, collecting soil/water/vegetation samples from the field, conducting laboratory analyses.


• Strong quantitative and data handling skills (e.g. in R or Python).


• Good written and spoken English communication skills.


• Knowledge of French is an asset but is not required.

What the position offers you

• Annual salary of CHF 55'000 for up to 4 years (until graduation).


• A friendly and cohesive culture at the Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics ( IDYST ) including 1-day Summer and Winter retreats, usually in the Alps.


• A shared office in the pleasent Géopolis building, on campus.


• Fully-funded personal research equipment (laptop, desktop computer, monitor, etc.) and research-related travel (conferences, collaborations, etc.).


• Opportunity for co-supervision of the Ph.D. program by a second Principal Ingestigator.


• International collaboration network and opportunities to spend research periods abroad.


• Opportunity (but not obligation) to attend doctoral schools and take classes.


• Access to laboratories and platforms (analytical platform, geochemistry, stable isotopes) as well as workshops (wood, metal, 3D print).


• Support in your future career choices, throug the IDYST Careers group and Graduate Campus activities.


• Access to Unil Campus facilities (Sports center with 100+ recreational options, restaurants, etc).


• 5 weeks of paid holidays (in addition to 1 week of national holidays) and Paid Parental leave .


• The University of Lausanne is committed to equal opportunity and stands firm against all forms of discrimination.


• The Faculty of Geosciences and Environment of the University of Lausanne adheres to the  DORA agreement and follows its guidelines in the evaluation of applications (in short-quality over quantity).

Contact for further information

All questions related to the application can be adressed by email to the Unil Hydrology Group : E-Mail schreiben

Your application

Deadline : 15.09.2026

Please, send the following document in PDF format :

1. Motivation letter (strict max 2 pages), including : 
   
   
   
   • Your professional goals in the next 6-7 years, and how this position might further them
   
   
   • A ~250-word description of a topic you felt passionate about in the last ~2 years
   
   
   • Description of the methods you feel more comfortable with and why (e.g. numerical modeling, sensor deployment, sample collection, lab analysis, statistics, spatial analyses, programming, etc.)
   
   
   • A disclosure of how Artificial Intelligence was used to prepare your application
   
   
   
   


2. Short Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages)


3. Copy of all university degree certificates and transcripts


4. Copy of one first-author research report (can be a manuscript, a thesis, or an assignment report)


5. Names, affiliations, and emails addresses of at least 2 references (e.g. Master thesis advisor, academic staff who have read your work, previous employers)

Only applications through this website will be taken into account.

We thank you for your understanding.

Additional information

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;
•    supporting early career researchers.

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