PhD Position in Microbial Physiology and Biotechnology: Physiology and Ecology of Methanogens

The Microbial Physiology and Resource Biorecovery Laboratory (MICROBE), led by Dr. Wenyu Gu at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in Microbial Physiology.

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented PhD student to join our interdisciplinary team at the Institute of Environmental Engineering. The successful candidate will conduct cutting-edge research in applied and environmental microbiology, with a focus on the physiology and genetic regulation of methane-producing archaea (methanogens). These microorganisms play a central role in the global carbon cycle by mediating the terminal steps of organic matter degradation in anoxic environments. Their activity serves as a critical gatekeeper of energy flow in oxygen-depleted ecosystems, including wetlands, sediments, animal digestive tracts, and anaerobic digesters, where they catalyze the final stages of anaerobic carbon mineralization.

The research will investigate how methanogens respond to dynamic environmental conditions and interact with other members of microbial communities, advancing our understanding of the ecological mechanisms governing methane production and informing future biotechnological applications. The project will combine a range of experimental and computational approaches, including high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics, microbial isolation and cultivation, physiological characterization of gas-utilizing microorganisms, and co-culture and community function analyses.

The PhD candidate will collaborate closely with other PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, both within the laboratory and across EPFL’s international research network.

Your Profile

• Master's degree in Environmental Engineering, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated research experience through a master's thesis, publications, or equivalent research projects.
• Prior experience in wet-lab microbiology and/or bioinformatics is an advantage.
• Strong communication and scientific writing skills in English.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative and international research environment.

We Offer

• Mentoring and support for professional and personal development.
• A stimulating, multicultural research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities.
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and international networking.
• A world-class training environment within the ETH Domain.

Employment Conditions

• Start date: Flexible.
• Contract duration: One-year contract, renewable annually for up to four years.

Application Procedure

To apply, please follow the instructions provided in the application portal by clicking the 'Apply' button

Please prepare the following application materials:

• Motivation letter.
• Detailed curriculum vitae (CV).
• Contact information.
• Names and contact details of three references who are willing to provide recommendation letters.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until a suitable candidate has been identified and the position has been filled.