Agroscope
Technical/scientific Staff - Nutrition LCA
8046 Zürich (Medium-term work location: 1725 Posieux) / 80%
good food, healthy environment
The 'Life Cycle Assessment' Research Group investigates environmental impacts and sustainability assessment in the agriculture and food sector. It develops methodologies, data and tools, applying them in projects concerning agricultural production systems, farms, or the agricultural sector with a view to improving agricultural products, foods, diets, nutritional scenarios, and agricultural policy measures.
The job remit involves contributing to two projects:
In the EU project 'WASTEWISE' you will calculate the environmental impacts of food waste through overconsumption and nutrient losses using life-cycle assessments. In the project 'Degree of self-sufficiency according to the food pyramid' you will develop a methodology for quantifying the contribution of domestic production to a diet based on the recommendations of the Swiss food pyramid.
The 'Life Cycle Assessment' Research Group investigates environmental impacts and sustainability assessment in the agriculture and food sector. It develops methodologies, data and tools, applying them in projects concerning agricultural production systems, farms, or the agricultural sector with a view to improving agricultural products, foods, diets, nutritional scenarios, and agricultural policy measures.
The job remit involves contributing to two projects:
In the EU project 'WASTEWISE' you will calculate the environmental impacts of food waste through overconsumption and nutrient losses using life-cycle assessments. In the project 'Degree of self-sufficiency according to the food pyramid' you will develop a methodology for quantifying the contribution of domestic production to a diet based on the recommendations of the Swiss food pyramid.
This is how you can contribute
- Developing and applying a methodology for the life-cycle assessment of overconsumption and nutrient losses.
- Developing and applying a methodology for calculating the domestic share of the recommended diet.
- Further development and adaptation of models, methodologies and life-cycle inventories.
- Publication of the results in international and national scientific journals
This makes you unique
- Achievement-oriented, team-oriented and flexible personality
- University degree in the field of agricultural, environmental, food or nutritional sciences or similar education
- Experience in life-cycle assessment, creating life-cycle inventories; good IT skills (knowledge of Python an advantage)
- Good knowledge of the agriculture and food sectors; solid knowledge of environmental sciences
- Knowledge of two official Swiss languages and a very good command of written and spoken English
Additional information
If this position appeals to you and you meet the requirements profile, we look forward to receiving your online application (English is not an official Swiss language, please choose German, French or Italian as correspondence language).
For further information please contact Dr. Thomas Nemecek, thomas.nemecek@agroscope.admin.ch, Tel. 058 468 72 54, or Dr. Mélanie Douziech, melanie.douziech@agroscope.admin.ch, Tel. 058 465 87 60 (please do not send job applications to these email addresses).
Start date: 1 Jan. 2025 or as agreed. The post is for a fixed term of 2 years.
Reference number: JRQ$540-12276
What sets us apart
The 'Sustainability Assessment and Agricultural Management' Research Division develops decision-making bases to help policy-makers create optimal framework conditions for a competitive and multifunctional Swiss agricultural sector. The analysis of a wide range of data from the agriculture and food sector enables the identification of promising operating strategies and policy measures. The Research Division deals with issues concerning digitalisation in agriculture.
Agroscope is the Swiss federal centre of excellence for research in the agriculture and food sector. Its researchers work at a number of sites in Switzerland. Headquartered in Bern-Liebefeld (as of 2026: Posieux), Agroscope is attached to the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER.
We offer you a varied job in an interesting work environment as well as thorough training. Flexible working hours and good employee benefits are additional perks of the job.
The Federal Administration is attentive to the different needs and backgrounds of its employees and promotes diversity. Equal treatment is a top priority.
