Postdoc/Scientist in “Spatial modelling of drought effects on forests” 80-100% (f/m/d)

The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL is part of the ETH Domain. Approximately 600 people work on the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on the handling of natural hazards.

The Research Unit Forest Resources and Management assesses and analyses changes in the landscape and in the forest. In the Research Group GIS we offer a position for two years as

According to climate projections, extreme weather conditions such as the dry and hot summer of 2018 will occur more frequently in Switzerland in the future and can cause increased tree mortality. Both beech and spruce, the two most common tree species in Switzerland, are known to be sensitive to drought and were severely affected by the drought in 2018. Based on ground truth data and satellite imagery, you will identify drought affected beech and spruce stands. You will develop statistical and machine learning models to predict the drought risk for the Swiss forest, considering local site factors and high-resolution climate scenarios. Furthermore, you will publish the results in international journals and present them at conferences.

You hold a PhD degree in geography, environmental sciences or a related field. You have a strong background in spatial modelling using machine learning and statistics with excellent programming skills in R and/or Python. Additionally, you are experienced in remote sensing, as well as in handling and managing large data sets. Good skills in scientific writing in English are essential. You are ambitious, used to a high standard of independent, structured, and careful work, and have a high level of self-motivation and good team spirit.

Please send your complete application to Beatrice Lamprecht, Human Resources WSL, by uploading the requested documents through our webpage. Applications via email will not be considered. Andri Baltensweiler, andri.baltensweiler@wsl.ch, will be happy to answer any questions or offer further information. The WSL strives to increase the proportion of women in its employment, which is why qualified women are particularly called upon to apply for this position.