Postdoctoral researcher on the topic of "Metabolites of plant protection products in groundwater"

Wädenswil | 100-100%

This is your contribution

• Processing of monitoring data on plant protection product metabolites in groundwater as well as data on approved application rates and sales figures of the associated active substances
• Compilation of Predicted Environmental Concentrations (PEC) in groundwater from the European authorization procedure for metabolites that are captured in monitoring
• Characterization of land use in the inflow areas/catchment areas of the groundwater abstractions
• Development of a concept for dividing inflow areas into vulnerability classes

What makes you unique

• PhD in environmental sciences, agronomy or a related field
• Experience in analyzing large datasets, preferably with the software R
• Knowledge of GIS analysis is an advantage
• Communicative personality with an independent and solution-oriented way of working
• Knowledge of two official languages

In a nutshell

With the revision of the water protection legislation, non-relevant metabolites of plant protection products should in the future also comply with the limit value of 0.1 µg/L in groundwater. In this project commissioned by the Federal Office for the Environment, possible variants of implementing the legal regulations on non-relevant metabolites in the inflow areas of groundwater abstractions are to be investigated. This should result in practical specifications for the assessment and control of PPP applications.

What we offer

• Working for Switzerland We are committed to the success model of Switzerland and work for the well-being of the population.
• Lived diversity Thanks to equal opportunity, we develop our competencies and bring in different perspectives.
• Healthy at the workplace We support and advise our employees in the area of physical and mental health.

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

Good food, healthy environment

Agroscope is the federal competence center for research in the field of agriculture and food. The researchers carry out their activities at various locations in Switzerland. The headquarters is Bern-Liebefeld (from 2026: Posieux FR). Agroscope is located within the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF.

Additional information

The Plant Protection Products -- Effect and Assessment research group combines comprehensive knowledge of plant protection products with expertise on their behavior and effects in the environment as well as their assessment. In its projects, it combines experimental research with modeling approaches and data analysis, thus contributing to the interdisciplinary consideration of plant protection products in the context of agricultural use.

Questions about the position

Romualdus Kasteel
Scientific Associate
+41 58 46 96046