Scholarships Financial Aid | RSS Feed | Twitter Scholarships |

Previous Scholarship | Next Scholarship

The research station Agroscope Eckenholz-Tänikon (ART) offers a PhD position in collaboration with the Environmental Systems Design Group of Prof. Stefanie Hellweg of the Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

The Ph.D. position “LCA for optimized water management in Agriculture” involves participation in the NRP 61 (www.nfp61.ch) research project “Water Demand in Swiss Agriculture, and Sustainable Adaptive Options for Land and Water Management to Mitigate Impacts of Climate Change (AGWAM)”. The study aims to investigate sustainable strategies for agricultural land use and farm management to mitigate negative impacts of climate change on agricultural water demand in Switzerland around the year 2050.
The project involves three collaborating Ph.D.s, developing the farm decision model, the regional optimisation and the assessment of the environmental impacts.

For the present job offer, starting in the beginning of 2010, the main objectives are (i) to develop a LCA method for quantifying the impacts of agricultural practices on water resources in Switzerland under present and future climate condition (ii) to adapt existing Swiss Agricultural Life Cycle (SALCA) methods with a direct link to the water regime to projected changes in climatic conditions (especially nitrate and phosphorus emissions), (iii) to apply LCA methods at farm level based on the results of the farm decision model and the regional optimization and (iv) to up-scale LCA results to the regional level under consideration of different farm types and land use scenarios. The duration of this appointment is 3 years.

Suitable candidates should hold a master level degree in agronomy or environmental sciences or engineering with excellent grades. Experience with environmental assessment methods and tools, such as LCA, is appreciated. Good knowledge of German and English language is required.

Info contact email (no applications) ruth.freiermuth-at-art.admin.ch or stefanie.hellweg-at-ifu.baug.ethz.ch

Applicants should include a complete academic record, CV, and a short description of research interests.
Please send your complete application as described above to:

Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART
Human Resources, Code “LCA for water management“
Reckenholzstrasse 191
CH-8046 Zürich.

Email: andrea.brandenburg-at-art.admin.ch