Postdoc: Microplastic Quantification in Fruit and Vegetables - Method Development and Initial Application

Zürich, Schweiz | 80-100% Your contribution <br /> • Development of suitable workflows for sample preparation to isolate microplastics from various fruit and vegetable matrices, based on established internal protocols for extraction and detection in complex environmental samples using FPA-μ-FTIR or QCL-based IR imaging • Transfer of the developed pipeline into a verified standard operating procedure suitable for routine conditions • Establishment of <<risk-based>> and <<exposure-based>> monitoring strategies for microplastics in selected fruit and vegetable varieties and conducting corresponding pilot studies • Quantification of microplastics, data analysis, and evaluation • Reporting to authorities, stakeholders, and the scientific community at national and international meetings and conferences through presentations, reports, and publications <br /> What makes you unique <br /> • PhD in Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Materials Science, or a related field • Sound knowledge of polymer chemistry and analytical environmental chemistry, knowledge of fruit and vegetable cultivation as well as food safety • Practical experience in sampling, sample preparation, and the application of state-of-the-art analytical instruments for the quantification of microplastics in environmental compartments • Experience in programming and data analysis • Scientific curiosity and strong observational skills during experiments • Knowledge of two official languages and English <br /> In short The project is funded by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office and is carried out in cooperation with Eawag (Dr. Ralf Kägi) and Empa (Dr. Christoph Hüglin, Prof. Peter Wick). Employment and supervision are provided by Agroscope; the place of work is Dr. Ralf Kägi's particle laboratory at Eawag in Dübendorf. The employment is limited to 2½ years and begins in October 2026 or by arrangement. What we offer <br /> • Working for Switzerland: We are committed to the Swiss success model and work for the welfare of the population. • Lived diversity: Thanks to equal opportunity, we develop our competencies and contribute 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) <br /> Good food, healthy environment Agroscope is the federal competence center for research in agriculture and food. Researchers carry out their activities at various locations in Switzerland. The headquarters is Bern-Liebefeld (from 2026: Posieux FR). Agroscope is part of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF. Additional information The Environmental Analytics research group supports and serves Agroscope researchers in chemical-analytical matters. In addition, it contributes to a better understanding of the fate and behavior of substances in the anthroposphere, agriculture, and the environment through method development and its own research projects. Its target analytes range from heavy metals and organic micropollutants to microplastics. Questions about the position Thomas Bucheli Research Group Leader +41 58 46 87342