Ph.D. scholarship - PFAS transfer in ruminants: from animal experiments to computational models

1725 Posieux | 100-100%

****This is how you can contribute****

• Planification and execution of toxicokinetic animal experiments
• Coordination of sample preparation and analytical workflow integration
• Data management, statistical analyses and interpretation
• Evaluation of physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) models of PFAS fate in ruminants
• Communication and publication of results in scientific journals, scientific reporting for funders and stakeholders
• Project management and collaboration within an international consortium

****This makes you unique****

• Master or equivalent degree in animal sciences, veterinary sciences, pharmacology, toxicology, biology, bioinformatics or a related field
• Strong interest in ruminant nutrition and physiology, food safety, and environmental contaminants in agricultural systems
• Experience in statistics and scientific writing. Very good IT skills. Additional experience in animal experimentation, modeling or knowledge of programming or algorithms would be a plus
• Ability to work independently and collaborate within a multidisciplinary and international research consortium
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Knowledge of two official Swiss languages and English

****In a nutshell****

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as "forever chemicals", are highly persistent compounds that are easily dispersed in the environment and bioaccumulate along the food chain, posing major environmental and public health challenges worldwide. In Switzerland, the recent discovery of PFAS contamination in agricultural areas raises growing public concern and highlights the urgent need to better understand exposure pathways, transfer within livestock systems, and mitigation options to protect food safety.

Within this context, the PhD candidate will contribute to the research project "PFArmS -- Assessment and mitigation of the transfer of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in ruminants". Positioned at the interface of environmental and animal sciences, toxicokinetics, and food safety, the project aims to elucidate and reduce PFAS exposure and transfer in ruminant husbandry systems. The PhD candidate will focus on PFAS toxicokinetics in cattle and sheep, combining controlled animal experiments with strategies to enhance PFAS depuration and physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) modeling, to support evidence-based mitigation measures along the feed-to-food chain.

You have a background in animal or veterinary science, pharmacology, toxicology, biology, bioinformatics or a related interdisciplinary field, with a strong interest in applied research and chemical food safety. You are interested in animal nutrition, physiology, and in how contaminants like PFAS behave within biological systems. You are interested in combining practical experimental methods with computational methods. You have very good computer skills and some experience in handling data and models, as well as scientific writing skills, along with motivation to further develop these skills.

PFArmS is conducted within a strong research network involving Agroscope, Empa (Dübendorf, Switzerland), and the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR, Berlin), offering an interdisciplinary and applied research environment at the interface of environmental science, animal science, and food safety.

****Our benefits****

• Working for Switzerland We are committed to the successful Swiss model and work for the public good.
• Embracing diversity Thanks to equal opportunities, we draw on our expertise and contribute different perspectives.
• Staying healthy at work We support and advise our employees in the area of physical and mental health.

All benefits

****Good food, healthy environment****

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.

****Additional information****

The 'Ruminant Nutrition and Emissions' Research Group is represented at the Posieux and Tänikon sites. We deal with ruminant physiology, nutrition and husbandry in roughage-focused feeding systems with the aim of sustainably improving nutrient efficiency, lowering emissions from cattle husbandry, reducing nutrient-related production diseases, and maintaining high product quality.

****Questions about the position****

Sylvain Lerch Research Associate
+41 58 46 14129

****Questions about applying****

Raphaël Brandt +41 58 46 37782