PhD position in the field of "Tire and road wear particles in the environment"

• 12 September 2026
• 100%
• Indefinite duration
• Dübendorf

Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, is an internationally connected aquatic research institute within the ETH Domain (Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology). Eawag conducts research, provides training, and offers expert advice to achieve the dual objectives of meeting direct human needs for water and maintaining the function and integrity of aquatic ecosystems.

PhD position in the field of "Tire and road wear particles in the environment" #

The Department of Process Engineering (ENG) offers a vacancy for a

Context: Tire and road wear particles (TRWP) are formed by the mechanical abrasion of the tire tread and contain incorporated road materials. With estimated emissions of approximately 1 kg per inhabitant per year, TRWP contribute substantially—or even dominate—the synthetic polymer loads reaching the environment. However, their distribution among environmental compartments is poorly established. The main reasons are analytical challenges: mass-based approaches (pyrolysis GC-MS) suffer from severe matrix interferences, while particle-based methods using vibrational spectroscopy (infrared or Raman) fail due to interference from the carbon black contained in the tire tread. At the same time, TRWP are essentially black and exhibit characteristic shapes as well as elemental compositions, which opens the way to alternative particle-based detection strategies.

The overall goal of this project is to develop and validate harmonized particle-based analytical approaches to quantify TRWP in key environmental matrices, and to compare the environmental distribution of TRWP with that of conventional microplastic (MP) particles determined in the same samples. The following research topics will be addressed during this project:

• Development and validation of a number-based method to identify and quantify TRWP in atmospheric deposition samples (wet and dry), combining automated optical microscopy with artificial intelligence (AI) assisted image analysis, and using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological and elemental profiling at the single-particle level.
• Progressive extension of the analytical chain—including oxidative digestion, density separation, and a rigorous quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) concept based on surrogate standards—to increasingly complex matrices. Possible examples are surface waters, wastewater treatment plant effluents, stormwater, soils and sediments, or sewage sludge; the selection and prioritization of matrices will be made during the project.
• Quantification of TRWP and MP as part of a pilot monitoring study covering selected compartments, such as the atmosphere, soils, surface waters, and wastewater systems. Based on the results, recommendations for a future long-term monitoring framework for TRWP and MP in Switzerland will be formulated.

We are looking for highly motivated candidates holding a master's degree in environmental sciences or engineering, chemistry (analytical), process engineering, materials science, or a related field. Experience in microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, or particle analysis in complex environmental matrices is an asset, as is an affinity for image analysis and data processing (e.g., Python or R). Furthermore, demonstrable skills in English communication (and ideally also in German) as well as the willingness and ability to work in a team are essential.

The project is carried out within a well-established consortium composed of Eawag, Empa, Agroscope, and ETH Zurich, which has jointly developed methods to quantify microplastics in atmospheric deposition, soils, suspended sediments, and sewage sludge over the past five years. The selected candidate will be supervised by Dr. Ralf Kaegi (Eawag) and co-supervised by Dr. Christoph Hüglin (Empa), Dr. Thomas D. Bucheli (Agroscope), and Prof. Michael Sander (ETH Zurich) and will be hosted in the Eawag particle laboratory, with access to state-of-the-art FT-IR microscopes as well as fully automated optical and scanning electron microscopy systems. The selected candidate will be enrolled in a doctorate at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich). The project is funded by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and has a duration of four years. The position is available from 1 March 2027 or by agreement. The place of work and employment will be at Eawag (Dübendorf, Switzerland).

At Eawag, we offer a working environment where people with diverse experiences, strengths, and perspectives can fully contribute and develop. Here, you can help us progress! We promote authentic participation, exchange, and mutual understanding. We create structures that allow for compatibility of work with other areas of life, such as caregiving tasks, and we continually strive to reduce barriers.

Do you have specific requirements regarding the application process or the position, or do you need additional information? Talk to us - we will be happy to support you with possible solutions for flexible workplace, working hours, and job arrangement. For more information, please consult our website on Eawag as well as