Postdoc: Modelling Early Prokaryote Evolution and Earth Geodynamics

About the role

The NCCR Genesis, an SNSF-funded research infrastructure studying the emergence of life, is looking for a fully funded, two-year postdoctoral researcher in Zurich. The project investigates how early prokaryotic life evolved and how its evolution interacted with the changing physical and chemical environment of the early Earth, coupling models of prokaryotic evolution and energy metabolism with geodynamic simulations of the early Earth. The position is initially 12 months and extendable to a maximum of 24 months.

Key responsibilities

• Build on existing models of anaerobic autotrophs and heterotrophs to design a model of metabolic communities as a function of global and local chemical and physical conditions
• Use existing models of carbon and nutrient cycling and atmospheric evolution during the Archean to study how evolving geophysical and geochemical processes were constrained or affected by early metabolic assemblages
• Use outputs of geodynamic simulations to investigate how varying planetary conditions (lithospheric strength, interior density profiles, mantle rheology) facilitate or hinder evolutionary transitions
• Explore how biological evolution can alter planetary conditions and drive systems toward alternative stable states
• Communicate results through publications, conference presentations and collaboration with project partners

Required profile

• PhD in geobiology, biogeochemistry, Earth sciences, geodynamics, planetary science, computational biology or a closely related field
• Strong experience in quantitative research, computational modelling, data analysis or a combination
• Demonstrated ability to work independently to formulate research questions, design analyses and interpret results
• Ability to critically evaluate model assumptions and integrate evidence from different data types
• Clear written and spoken English and strong organisational skills

Required skills

• Geophysical/geochemical modelling, bioenergetics, population ecology or eco-evolution
• Scientific programming and data analysis, preferably in Python, R, MATLAB or Julia
• Advantageous: microbial metabolism, geodynamic or mantle-convection modelling, climate or Earth-system modelling, high-performance computing, coupling biological and abiotic models

What we offer

• Scientific independence and an interdisciplinary research environment at the interface of biology, Earth sciences and planetary science
• Access to advanced computational resources and modelling expertise
• Interdisciplinary collaboration, training and career-development opportunities, mentoring and support programmes

Applications are submitted online through the university's application portal, with a CV and motivation letter.