You will be part of a large EU project on prioritization and assessment of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Within this project, our team will focus on developing models for predicting microbial biotransformation of pharmaceuticals in activated sludge, sediments and soil. For this, we will expand existing biotransformation databases (envipath.org) with industry-owned data, and use these data to train transformation rule-based prediction models for half-lives and biotransformation pathways. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with another postdoctoral researcher doing experimental studies with activated sludge and developing read-across approaches between biotransformation in different environmental compartments.
Requirements: Candidates for this position are expected to hold a PhD in data sciences or environmental sciences, and have a strong background in cheminformatics. Candidates with knowledge of CDK, Java, R and/or Python, and working experience with chemical reaction prediction will be preferred. Candidates are expected to have excellent academic records and good English communication skills. Eagerness to demonstrate self-initiative, particularly in interacting with industry partners, is required for this position. Interested candidates should note that the project partially entails working with confidential industry data. In return, the candidate will have ample opportunity to liaise with research scientists from pharmaceutical industry and regulatory agencies and to thus build up a highly valuable professional network.
Benefits: The environmental chemistry department at Eawag and the research group of Dr Kathrin Fenner are internationally recognized leaders in the field of chemical fate and will provide for a highly stimulating, interdisciplinary research environment. The position is funded for a 1.5-year period with an attractive remuneration package. The preferred start date is autumn 2020. Dr Kathrin Fenner is associate professor at the Chemistry Department of the University of Zurich, and also maintains strong interactions with various groups at ETH Zürich. Both Eawag and the two universities are located within the Zürich metropolitan area. The city of Zürich is continuously ranked among the top cities in the world for quality of life and is within close proximity to the Swiss Alps.
Eawag is committed to promoting equal opportunities for women and men and to support the compatibility of family and work. Applications from women are especially welcome. For more information about Eawag and our work conditions please consult www.eawag.ch and www.eawag.ch/en/aboutus/working/employment.
Applicationsshould include a concise statement describing your motivation to work on this research project, curriculum vitae, copies of your academic qualifications and two letters of support with the affiliations of the supporting scientists. The deadline for applications is 10 May 2020, or until the position is filled.
For further information, please consult www.eawag.ch or contact: Prof. Dr Kathrin Fenner.
We look forward to receiving your application. Please send it through this webpage, any other way of applying will not be considered. A click on the button below will take you directly to the application form.