Postdoc: MP Quantification in Fruits & Vegetables - Method Dev. & Initial Application

This is how you can contribute

• Develop dedicated sample preparation workflows to isolate microplastic (MP) from different fruit and vegetable matrices, starting off from established in house protocols for MP extraction and detection in complex environmental samples by FPA-μ-FTIR or QCL based IR imaging
• Transfer the developed pipeline into a verified standard operating procedure suitable for routine conditions
• Establish “risk based” and “exposition based” monitoring strategies for MP in selected fruits and vegetables and conduct corresponding pilot studies
• MP quantification, data analysis and interpretation
• Reporting to authorities, stakeholders, and the scientific community at national and international meetings, conferences, by means of presentations, reports and publications

This makes you unique

• PhD in chemistry, environmental sciences, material sciences or a related field
• Solid background in polymer chemistry and environmental analytical chemistry, knowledge in fruit and vegetable production and food safety aspects
• Hands-on experience in sampling, sample preparation and state-of-the art analytical instruments to quantify MP in environmental compartments
• Experience in programming and data analysis
• Self-driven curiosity and strong observational skills during experimentation
• Knowledge of two official Swiss languages and English

In a nutshell

The project is financed by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office and will be executed in collaboration with Eawag (Dr. Ralf Kägi) and Empa (Dr. Christoph Hüglin, Prof. Peter Wick). The formal employment and supervision is with Agroscope, the working place is in the particle laboratory of Dr. Ralf Kägi at Eawag, Dübendorf. The employment is for a fixed term of 2 ½ years, starting in October 2026 or by agreement.