Water-soluble and water-dispersible polymers (WS/DPs) are widely used in home care and cosmetic products and enter both engineered and natural environments. In a new joint initiative, researchers from Eawag and ETH Zürich combine expertise to advance a systematic understanding of WS/DP biodegradation and transformation in these receiving systems.

In this project, we will collect, assess, and curate scientific literature on WS/DP biodegradability and abiotic/enzymatic transformation pathways, focusing on wastewater sludge, river/lake waters, and sediments. The curated data will be compiled into a structured database to ultimately support computational predictions and model development for WS/DP biodegradation prediction. The project will consolidate mechanistic knowledge, identify knowledge gaps, and provide recommendations for experimental design and reporting, in close collaboration with academic, industrial, and regulatory partners.

The successful candidate will carry out the following, specific task:

• Identify data needs for QSAR, machine-learning, and pathway prediction, including material properties, test conditions, and inoculum characteristics.
• Review literature on WS/DP biodegradation in wastewater, aquatic environments, and soils and on abiotic and enzymatic transformation pathways. Extract, encode, and quality-assess biodegradation data, including mineralization rates, half-lives, rate constants, and metadata and transfer into database
• Build a numerical kinetic model to describe key steps in biodegradation

If you are a candidate with a PhD in environmental or polymer chemistry, computational biology, bioinformatics, or a related discipline, we encourage you to apply. Proficiency in English is required. Essential competencies include motivation for fundamental research in an environmental context, teamwork, communication, and collaborative skills, interest in sustainability science and advising students, and willingness to engage with regulators and stakeholders.

Screening of applicants will begin immediately, and decisions will be made as soon as a suitable candidate has been identified. The application period will close on January 31, 2026.Applications should include a cover letter with a concise statement about your previous education and research experience, your statement of research interests (1-2 pages), a curriculum vitae, publication list, copies of your academic qualifications, and names and contact information of 3 academic references.

At Eawag, we have a working environment in which people with different experiences, strengths, and perspectives can fully contribute and further develop. Here, you can help us advance! We promote genuine participation, exchange, and mutual understanding. We create structures that enable the compatibility of work and other areas of life, such as care work, and continuously make efforts to reduce barriers.

Do you have specific requirements regarding the application process or the position, or do you need additional information? Talk to us about it—we will be happy to support you with possible flexible workplace, working hours, and job design solutions. For further information please visit our website about Eawag as well as our conditions of employment.

Questions about the position can be directed to Prof. Dr. Thomas Hofstetter (thomas.hofstetter@eawag.ch), Prof. Dr. Kathrin Fenner

(kathrin.fenner@eawag.ch) or Prof. Dr. Michael Sander

(michael.sander@env.ethz.ch).

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.

Applications from employment agencies/personnel consultants are not welcome and will not be considered.