PhD Student in Climate Sciences / PhD Student in Climate Sciences

Join Our Team for an Exciting PhD Opportunity!

Are you passionate about using cutting-edge technology to explore the secrets of Earth's past climate and environment? Do you thrive on interdisciplinary challenges and big data? Join our team at the University of Bern for an exciting PhD position exploring the ancient world of lake sediments through the lens of modern imaging methodologies and data science. As the saying goes, "the past is the key to the future."

Responsibilities

As a key member of our research team, your primary role will involve conducting fundamental research, data acquisition, and data analysis utilizing advanced imaging techniques. We offer flexibility in approaching the project's goals, enabling you to personalize your focus based on your skills and interests. Your responsibilities will include:

• Obtaining high-resolution data from sediment cores.
• Running laboratory incubation experiments to understand the stability of sedimentary signals.
• Participating in fieldwork.
• Applying advanced data science approaches, including supervised and unsupervised pixel clustering and neural networks, to discover unique "fingerprints" of past climate conditions.

The project is structured into three main work packages, guiding you from initial data acquisition through to final fingerprinting. You will receive support from a research assistant with the imaging methods and/or data science aspects.

Requirements

We seek a highly motivated and curious candidate with a Master's degree in Earth Sciences or a related field. We encourage applications from a diverse range of academic backgrounds, including those with experience in:

• Biogeochemistry
• Limnology
• Sedimentology
• Environmental research
• Ecology
• Hydrology
• Data science
• Image processing

While data science experience is a plus, a passion for hands-on analytical work, fieldwork, and eagerness to learn advanced data science techniques is essential. We value strong analytical skills and a collaborative spirit.

Your Profile

You are an independent, creative, and ambitious team player who enjoys interdisciplinary science, learning, and mastering new skills. You possess:

• Interest or experience in advanced imaging techniques.
• Interest or experience in data science.
• A strong ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English.

We are committed to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in geology and especially encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

What We Offer

• An exciting interdisciplinary project that bridges paleoclimatology and cutting-edge data science, hosted at the Institute of Geological Sciences and the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research.
• A stimulating and supportive research environment that actively acknowledges multi-dimensional diversity.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities at the University of Bern.
• Opportunities for international collaborations, conferences, and workshop participation.
• Professional and personal development through specialized training in data science.
• A supportive framework designed for PhD student success, including a research assistant and independent, complementary projects.
• Integration into the Sedimentary Geochemistry unit of the Institute of Geological Sciences.
• Enrollment in the renowned OCCR climate sciences graduate school.
• A competitive SNSF-funded PhD student salary starting at approximately 50,000 CHF gross annually for up to four years.

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Contact & Application Deadline

If you have any scientific questions, please reach out to Petra Zahajská at petra.zahajska@unibe.ch.

The application deadline is December 15th, 2025. Interviews are anticipated to be conducted online in the second half of January 2026.