PhD Position “Diagenesis of Microbialites in Origin-of-Life Analogues”

Bereich: Department of Geosciences

The Sedimentology Lab at the Department of Geosciences at the University of Fribourg invites applications for a PhD position on the characterization of early and late diagenetic processes acting in origin-of-life analogues.
The position is embedded in the Project OASIS (Origin of Life Analogues and Archives) led by Nina Zeyen (UNIGE), Allison Daley (UNIL) and Anneleen Foubert (UNIFR), and is part of the National Centre of Competence in Research GENESIS. The OASIS project focuses especially on the concentration and preservation of organic molecules and cells in extreme environments and through geological time. Despite decades of research searching for early signatures of life on Earth and beyond, a thorough understanding of these processes remains elusive. Diagenesis can alter the original signature of life by modifying morphology, mineralogy, chemistry and organic compounds proxies. As such, there is an urgent need to understand the messages conveyed by organo-sedimentary structures including microbialites in their geological and environmental context and across multiple spatial and temporal scales. The project aims to use an integrative and multi-methodological approach combining geochemical, mineralogical, and microbiological characterisation of modern lacustrine microbialites with in-situ and in-vitro organomineralisation and diagenesis experiments. The PhD student will work collaboratively with two other PhD students employed on the project OASIS, at respectively UNIGE and UNIL, as well as postdocs and technicians associated with the project.
This specific PhD-project will focus on early to late diagenetic processes in extreme hypersaline to hyperacidic ponds and lacustrine settings covering distinct geochemical gradients. Microbialites in their natural setting will be analyzed for morphology, mineralogy and geochemistry using high-resolution visualization and analytical techniques. In-situ field and lab experimentation will allow monitoring distinct early (syn-depositional) and late alteration and diagenesis to understand better the preservation of organo-mineral structures (such as microbialites) through time.

Your Profile

• MSc Degree in Geosciences (Geology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geomicrobiology, or related field)
• Research interest in process-orientated sedimentology, and high-resolution analytical and quantitative methods both in the field and the lab
• Team player being open to work in an international and interdisciplinary team
• Good organizational and communication skills
• Experience with diagenesis, experimentation, CT-scanning techniques, fieldwork, and/or biogeochemistry is an advantage

Application procedures
The position could be available as early as December 1st 2026 or by mutual agreement. The PhD duration is 4 years.

Electronic copies of the following documents should be forwarded to the address below:

• Cover letter mentioning the position for which the candidate is applying, your research interests, relevant experience and motivation for the PhD-position
• Complete CV
• Copies of the diploma of Bachelor and Master degree, and academic transcripts
• Name and addresses of two referee persons

The applications should be made via email as one single PDF file. For all questions and for submission of the application please contact Prof. Dr. Anneleen Foubert by mail . The applications should reach the Department of Geosciences before 10th of November 2026.
Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg

The University of Fribourg is located in central western Switzerland, at the foothills of the Swiss Alps. The university has about 10’000 students across all scientific disciplines. Being part of the Faculty of Science and Medicine, the Department of Geosciences steers an interdisciplinary research and teaching environment bringing together the domains of Earth Sciences, Geography, and Environmental sciences. The Department of Geosciences hosts and manages the GeoImage and Analytics Core Facility. The Sedimentology Research Group is specifically studying geobiosphere interactions in sediments and using those sediments as true paleo-environmental archives and at the cornerstone of the GeoImage and Analytics Core Facility.

Details on the Sedimentology Research Group (Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg) are available at https://www.unifr.ch/geo/carbonatesedimentology/en/

The University of Fribourg is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to :

• Ensure gender balance and diversity at all levels, as well as an open and respectful environment
• Promote a culture of research integrity by encouraging responsible and transparent practices throughout the research process
• Provide working conditions facilitating work-life balance
• Support of early career researchers

NCCR GENESIS

The National Centre of Competence in Research NCCR Genesis is a research infrastructure project funded by SNSF focusing on exploring the emergence of life in the Universe. This interdisciplinary research infrastructure brings together physicists, earth and planetary scientists, chemists and biologists to understand the conditions and the mechanisms that enable life to emerge. Developing reliable methods to detect reliable traces of life (biosignatures) – whether through remote sensing or direct onsite measurements – requires significant innovation. These challenges demand close collaboration across physics, biology, chemistry and the earth sciences. NCCR Genesis does not aim to provide answers in all fields, but to drive innovative research and achieve decisive progress.

Details on NCCR Genesis are available on its website https://nccr-genesis.ch.

NCCR Genesis is deeply committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our aim is to cultivate a respectful and fair work culture with equal access to professional development and support for all. We strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups.