PhD position: 'LCA of organic and low-input cropping systems'

The Research Station Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon ART conducts research for an environmental-friendly, competitive agriculture and combines ecology, economy and agricultural technology in an integrated research approach and
develop scientifically based decision support for farmers, government and society.

The Life Cycle Assessment Group is internationally recognized in the field of agricultural life cycle assessment. The group is specialized on the environmental assessment of farms and farming systems. 

They are looking for a: Ph.D. candidate 'LCA of organic and low-input cropping systems'

The Ph.D. position involves participation in the EU project SOLIBAM ("Strategies for Organic and Low-input Integrated Breeding and Management", www.solibam.eu). The project aims at developing new strategies for organic and low-input crops and cropping systems. 

The task will be to carry out the environmental assessment of new strategies and cropping systems at farm and cropping system level by means of environmental life cycle assessment.
Special reference is made to the diversity of farms, fields, crops and cropping systems as well as of the physical and socio-economic environment.

Suitable candidates should hold a master level degree in agronomy or environmental sciences or engineering with excellent grades. Experience with environmental assessment methods and tools, such as LCA, is appreciated.

Good knowledge of German and English is required.

The duration of contract is 3 years.

The working place will be the Agroscope ART research station Reckenholz at Zurich-Affoltern, Switzerland.

Start of work will be November 2010 or at your earliest convenience.

Please send application containing a complete academic record, CV, certificates and a short description of research interests to:
Forschungsanstalt Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon ART,

Code "LCA of cropping systems",

Human Resources,

Reckenholzstrasse 191,

CH-8046 Zürich

Email: human_resources@art.admin.ch  

For further information, please contact
Thomas Nemecek, Agroscope
Reckenholz-Tänikon ART, Life Cycle Assessment, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046 Zürich, Email: thomas.nemecek@art.admin.ch   
phone: +41 (0)44 377 72 54

Gérard Gaillard (+41 (0)44 377 73 50)

The PhD thesis will be carried out under the supervision of Prof. Emmanuel Frossard, Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland.

Links:
www.agroscope.admin.ch/oekobilanzen/index.html?lang=en   
www.plantnutrition.ethz.ch   

Deadline for application is: October, 22th 2010.