PhD Student - Development of food legume value chains in Switzerland

Nyon | 100-10%

What you can contribute

• Conduct a literature review and progressively develop the problem statement and scientific approach of the project
• Map the food legume value chains in Switzerland and analyze the roles and interactions between the different actors
• Design, conduct, and analyze field surveys among value chain actors
• Set up and analyze field experiments for variety evaluation and analyze consumer preferences
• Design and facilitate workshops and multi-actor arrangements to support innovation and the co-construction of scenarios for value chain development
• Promote and disseminate results through scientific publications and communications, contribute to knowledge transfer, and participate in academic life

What makes you unique

• Engineer or Master's in Agronomy, if possible with experience in research or multi-actor participatory arrangements
• Interest in field work and applied research, and ability to work interdisciplinary
• Scientific curiosity, spirit of initiative and interest in learning new methods, rigor and organization
• Good knowledge of the R software
• Driver's license
• Knowledge of two official languages and English

In a few words

Food legumes represent an important lever to diversify cropping systems, reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizers, and promote a more sustainable diet. Despite growing interest, their production remains limited in Switzerland and the majority of legumes consumed are imported. The development of local value chains indeed faces several challenges, from production to processing and marketing.
In this context, the Filigrane project, financially supported by the Swiss Confederation, aims to promote the development of Swiss food legume value chains. It combines the evaluation of varieties adapted to Swiss conditions, the optimization of cultivation practices, the design of value chain organization scenarios, as well as the study of processing and consumption determinants.
The thesis is part of this project and will be co-supervised by Agroscope and INRAE (UMR Agronomie), under the direction of Marie-Hélène Jeuffroy.

What we offer

• Working for Switzerland We are committed to the success of the Swiss model and to the well-being of the population.
• Diversity in everyday life We ensure equal opportunities, which allows us to deploy our skills and express different points of view.
• Health at work We assist and advise our employees on all matters related to physical or mental health.

All benefits (https://www.stelle.admin.ch/stelle/fr/home/bundesverwaltung/ihre-vorteile-auf-einen-blick.html)

A good diet, a healthy environment

Agroscope is the Confederation's competence center for research in the fields of agriculture and the food industry. Researchers carry out their activities at various sites in Switzerland. The main headquarters is located in Berne-Liebefeld (from 2026: Posieux FR). Agroscope is attached to the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER.

Additional information

The Crop Techniques and Varieties in Arable Crops research group is dedicated to researching sustainable production techniques and new varieties adapted to climate change for the main arable crop species grown according to various production methods (integrated production, labels or organic farming). To fulfill its mission, it is active in experimentation, mainly in open fields, from Lake Geneva to eastern Switzerland.

Questions about the position

Alice Baux
Team Leader
+41 58 46 04722