Ferdinand von Meyenn

ETH Zurich’s World Food System Center is sharing multiple PhD and postdoctoral openings across food systems, sustainability, environmental science, agriculture, economics, chemistry, and biology-related research. Postdoctoral positions include: co-evaluating bio-inputs for smallholder farmers in Kenya with the Sustainable Agroecosystems Group (Prof. Johan Six), and stakeholder engagement with TdLab (Prof. Christian Pohl). PhD positions include research on PFAS pathways through soil–groundwater interfaces, circular economy and climate change resilience, pathways to a net-zero target for hard-to-abate Swiss emissions, plant metabolism and stable isotope biology (in collaboration with the University of Basel), and novel mineral sources for treating micronutrient deficiencies in humans. The page also lists additional PhD opportunities in sustainability assessment for future global food systems and food processing for planetary and human health. These openings are hosted by ETH Zurich and partner groups including Eawag and the University of Basel. The research themes are strongly interdisciplinary and connect food systems , sustainable agroecosystems , environmental processes , circular economy , agricultural economics , nutrition , and food processing . Eligibility and requirements are not fully detailed in the post, but applicants should be well matched to the relevant research area and prepared to work in an academic research environment. The World Food System Center also advertises a separate World Food Forum delegation opportunity for ETH Zurich students and researchers aged 35 or younger, with a deadline of 2026-06-03 . That delegation offers limited financial assistance of 400 CHF per delegate, while travel and hotel costs are self-funded. To apply, review the linked open positions page and follow the instructions for the specific role. For the World Food Forum delegation, submit a 1-page letter of interest and a 1-page CV by the deadline.

ETH Zurich is recruiting a doctoral student for a project on novel mineral sources for the treatment of micronutrient deficiencies in humans . The position sits at the interface of nutrition , public health , medical science , food science , and sustainability , with a focus on the absorption, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability of minerals from alternative sources such as microalgae and plant-based foods. The project is run jointly by the ETH Zurich Laboratory of Epigenetics, Nutrition and Metabolism and the Sustainable Food Processing Group in the Department of Health Science and Technology. The research background highlights global mineral deficiencies, especially iron, calcium, zinc, and magnesium, and the need for more sustainable, mineral-dense food sources. The successful candidate will summarize existing knowledge, design intervention meals, assess mineral bioaccessibility in vitro, evaluate mineral bioavailability, and carry out clinical trials related to human nutrition enriched with novel mineral sources. Additional responsibilities include supporting teaching, co-supervising MSc and BSc students, collaborating with academic and industry partners, and supporting grant applications and related activities across ETH-linked initiatives. The role is suitable for candidates with an MSc in Nutrition and Health, Clinical Trials, Food Science and Technology, or a related field, especially those with strong interest or experience in human/clinical work. A GCP certificate is compulsory, but it can be obtained after starting. Funding is provided as a fixed-rate standard monthly doctoral student salary according to ETH guidelines . The position is open to international students. Applications must be submitted through the ETH Zurich online application portal ; email and postal applications are not accepted. The call remains open until a suitable candidate is found, and the latest expected starting date is 2026-09-01 (earlier start preferred). Required application documents include a motivation letter, a research proposal, CV with two referees, degree certificates and transcripts, and copies of BSc/MSc theses if available. If the MSc is not yet completed, applicants should provide a supervisor statement confirming expected completion and submit the latest thesis draft.