Ph.D. scholarship - PFAS transfer in ruminants: from animal …, Posieux

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.

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

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.

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.

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

If this challenge appeals to you, we look forward to receiving your online application at , ref. no. JRQ$540-18910 (English is not an official Swiss language, please choose German, French or Italian as correspondence language).

Start date: 1 September 2026 or as agreed. The post is for a fixed term until 31.08.2030.

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