ETH Zurich PhD Scholarship in Plant Metabolism and Stable Isotope Biology (2026)

Scholarship Description

The ETH Zurich PhD position in Plant Metabolism and Stable Isotope Biology offers a fully funded four-year doctoral opportunity within the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) project H-Shifts: "The ²H fingerprint of plant metabolites to trace carbon metabolic shifts". This interdisciplinary project combines isotope biogeochemistry, plant physiology, and crop science to develop a novel tool for tracking metabolic fluxes in plants.

The position is hosted by the Grassland Science group in the Institute of Agricultural Sciences at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich, in close collaboration with the Physiological Plant Ecology group at the University of Basel, where much of the work will be conducted.

This research develops a novel approach based on natural-abundance hydrogen stable isotopes in plant carbohydrates (²H). These isotopic "fingerprints" encode information about key metabolic processes such as photosynthesis, carbon partitioning, and energy metabolism. The doctoral project will contribute to developing methods to separate metabolic isotope signals from environmental variation, quantifying and attributing isotope signals to specific metabolic processes, and applying the approach to investigate metabolic shifts associated with soybean domestication and crop breeding.

Scholarship Location

The position is based at ETH Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland, with much of the work conducted at the University of Basel. This is a cross-institutional collaboration offering access to state-of-the-art laboratories and growth facilities at both institutions.

Scholarship Deadline

Applications must be submitted by 1 July 2026. Only applications submitted through the ETH Zurich online application portal will be considered.

Host Institution

ETH Zurich – one of the world's leading universities specialising in science and technology, consistently ranked among the top universities globally. The Institute of Agricultural Sciences conducts cutting-edge research on plant science, crop improvement, and sustainable agriculture. The project is in close collaboration with the University of Basel's Physiological Plant Ecology group.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: PhD (Doctoral) – four-year fully funded position.

Fields of study: Plant Metabolism, Stable Isotope Biology, Isotope Biogeochemistry, Plant Physiology, Crop Science, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Agronomy, Ecology.

Key research areas:

• Development of novel isotope-based methods for tracing metabolic fluxes
• Natural-abundance hydrogen stable isotopes (²H) in plant carbohydrates
• Photosynthesis, carbon partitioning, and energy metabolism
• Metabolic shifts associated with soybean domestication and breeding
• Controlled-environment experiments and field studies

Target Group

This position is open to highly motivated candidates from all nationalities with a Master's degree in plant biology, biochemistry, environmental sciences, biogeochemistry, agronomy, ecology, or a related field. The ideal candidate is passionate about interdisciplinary research at the intersection of plant metabolism and isotope science.

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Duration: 4 years (fully funded doctoral position).

Salary: Competitive salary according to ETH Zurich standards for doctoral students (approximately CHF 47,000 – 55,000 gross per year, with full social benefits).

Additional benefits:

• Full social security and pension benefits
• Paid holiday leave (5 weeks per year)
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory and growth facilities
• Training in cutting-edge isotope techniques and plant physiology
• Opportunities for scientific training, networking, and career development
• Interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration with partners from Switzerland and France
• Inclusive and respectful working environment

Scholarship Eligibility

Required qualifications:

• A Master's degree in plant biology, biochemistry, environmental sciences, biogeochemistry, agronomy, ecology, or a related field.
• Experience or awareness of isotope applications – previous work with stable isotopes is an advantage.
• Laboratory experience – familiarity with laboratory protocols and analytical chemistry.
• Interest in plant metabolism and physiology – a strong motivation to understand plant metabolic processes.
• Quantitative and statistical skills – experience with R, Python, or similar software.
• Good written and spoken English – the working language of the project.
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary team – collaboration with researchers from different fields.

Desirable (not required):

• Experience with analytical chemistry (e.g., IRMS, NMR-based methods).

Application Procedure

1. Prepare required documents – Gather the following:
   • Letter of motivation – explaining your interest in the project and your relevant experience
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV) – detailing your academic background, research experience, and skills
   • Bachelor's and Master's certificates – with complete transcripts of grades
   • Contact information of 1–2 academic referees (no letters are needed at this point)
2. Submit online application – Applications must be submitted exclusively through the ETH Zurich online application portal (job reference JOPG_ethz_TGK2F1mbvhUN2rbFCZ).
3. Application deadline – Submit by 1 July 2026.
4. Application review – The supervising team reviews applications and shortlists candidates.
5. Interviews – Shortlisted candidates are contacted for interviews (likely online).
6. Offer – Successful candidates receive a formal offer from ETH Zurich.

Important notes:

• Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
• For questions regarding the position, contact Dr. Roland Werner ([email protected]) or Dr. Meisha Holloway-Phillips ([email protected]) – no applications.
• The desired starting date is no later than 1 October 2026.
• ETH Zurich values diversity and sustainability and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background.

Official Website & Application Link

ETH Zurich – PhD Position in Plant Metabolism and Stable Isotope Biology

ETH Zurich Website: https://ethz.ch

Institute of Agricultural Sciences: https://usys.ethz.ch

Questions: Dr. Roland Werner ([email protected]) or Dr. Meisha Holloway-Phillips ([email protected])