Agroscope is looking for a:
Research Scientist LCA of Food and Nutrition Systems
50%-50% / 8046 Zürich (expected place of work 1725 Posieux FR)
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 focuses on the following priorities:
(i) Life cycle assessment of foods (e.g. meat- and milk alternatives)
(ii) Life cycle assessment of dietary patterns
(iii) Life cycle assessment of whole food systems (including production and consumption, imports and exports)
(iv) Evaluation of agricultural and food policy measures.
The SALCA life cycle assessment methods, indicators for nutrition and models of the agriculture and food sector are used here.
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 focuses on the following priorities:
(i) Life cycle assessment of foods (e.g. meat- and milk alternatives)
(ii) Life cycle assessment of dietary patterns
(iii) Life cycle assessment of whole food systems (including production and consumption, imports and exports)
(iv) Evaluation of agricultural and food policy measures.
The SALCA life cycle assessment methods, indicators for nutrition and models of the agriculture and food sector are used here.
Your tasks
- Management and implementation of life cycle assessment projects for food from field to consumer, dietary patterns, agricultural and food systems (including quality and knowledge assurance)
- Strategic development and acquisition of third-party-funded projects in the research area
- Further development and adaptation of models, methods and life cycle inventories in the research area
- Publication of the results in international and Swiss scientific journals
Your profile
- Achievement- and team-oriented; flexible personality
- University degree in the fields of Agricultural, Environmental, Food- or Nutritional Sciences or similar training, ideally with PhD
- Experience in life cycle analysis, the preparation of life cycle inventories and the use of system models; good IT skills (knowledge of Python an advantage)
- Good knowledge in the fields of agriculture, food and nutrition; solid environmental science skills
- 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 at www.stelle.admin.ch, ref. no. 10217 (English is not an official Swiss language, please choose German, French or Italian as correspondence language).
For further information, please contact Mister Thomas Nemecek, thomas.nemecek@agroscope.admin.ch, 058 468 72 54 or Madam Maria Bystricky, maria.bystricky@agroscope.admin.ch, 058 468 71 26 (please do not send applications to these email addresses).
Start date: 1.8.2024 or to be agreed. This is a permanent employment.
Reference number: JRQ$540-10217
About us
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 and a modern research infrastructure. Flexible working hours and good employee benefits are additional perks of the 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.
