Research Associate: Overview of measures to improve N and PPP efficiency

Zürich, Switzerland | 80-80% |

Your contribution

• Literature research on the effectiveness and implementation rate of measures to increase the resource efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus and to reduce the risk of plant protection products
• Target group-oriented preparation and presentation of the collected information in close cooperation with other technical experts
• Conducting, evaluating and interpreting expert surveys for selected measures (in cooperation with the research area Sustainability Assessment and Agricultural Management)
• Presentation of the results and writing the final report

What makes you unique

• Master's degree in agronomy, biology, environmental sciences or comparable fields, ideally with practical experience in an agricultural environment
• Broad knowledge and interest in crop production topics. Knowledge of Swiss agriculture and LIWIS
• Ability to procure, structure, interpret, present and display information in a suitable form
• Ability as a generalist to quickly familiarize yourself with new questions, to lead a project and to work with various stakeholders at eye level
• Very good knowledge of two official languages and English in spoken and written form

In a nutshell

Nitrogen, phosphorus and plant protection products should be used as efficiently as possible in agriculture. As a scientific specialist, you will develop an overview of known agronomic measures to improve resource efficiency through literature research and prepare the findings relevant to Swiss agriculture in an understandable way. Subsequently, together with the research area Sustainability Assessment and Agricultural Management (FB NBA), you will analyze the state of implementation of these measures in practice based on surveys of advisory services, industry associations and agricultural holdings.
The findings from this project are intended to support sound further development and targeted design of agricultural policy measures. As a research associate, you are responsible for the operational management, planning, implementation and evaluation of this project. We are looking for an alert and solution-oriented personality who enjoys creating sound decision-making bases in close coordination with a wide range of specialists from research, consultancy, practice and administration.

What we offer

• Working for Switzerland We are committed to the Swiss success model and work for the benefit of the population.
• Lived diversity Thanks to equal opportunities, 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 agriculture and food industry. Researchers carry out their activities at various locations in Switzerland. The headquarters is in Bern-Liebefeld (from 2026: Posieux FR). Agroscope is located within the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF.

Additional information

The Plants and plant products competence area researches practical solutions for Swiss crop production and performs various enforcement activities. It is in close contact with agricultural advisory services and the industry, thereby ensuring that new solutions quickly reach practice and develop their effect there.

Questions about the position

Jan Wäspe
Research Associate Networking and Knowledge Exchange Plant Research
+41 58 46 55738

Questions about the application

Raphaël Brandt
+41 58 46 37782