PhD in Climate Hydrology: Data-Driven Water Quality Modeling

Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System (CSDMS); Zürich; On-site; CHF 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

ETH Zurich and the WSL-Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF in Switzerland invite applications for a PhD position within the NCCR CLIM+ program. The project focuses on studying climate and hydrological extremes and developing data-driven models to predict water quality under climate change, with dissemination at national and international conferences and journals.

We seek MSc graduates in hydrology or related fields with strong hydrological knowledge, experience in statistical or

Qualifications

• MSc degree in hydrology, climate sciences, environmental sciences, or a closely related field.
• Strong hydrological process knowledge.
• Experience in statistical and/or data-driven modeling.
• Strong programming skills (Python and/or R).
• Experience with large datasets (hydrological, meteorological or climate observations/simulations).
• Very good oral and written communication skills in English.
• Command of one of the national languages is an asset.
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary and international environment with a collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Study the effect of climate and hydrological extremes (e.g. heatwaves, droughts, and floods) on water quality (e.g. nutrients, oxygen).
• Use these process-related insights to develop data-driven models to predict water quality under climate change.
• Publish your results in scientific journals and present them at national and international conferences.

Skills

Statistical/data-driven modeling

Programming in Python or R

Experience with large datasets

English communication skills

Education

MSc in hydrology, climate sciences, environmental sciences or related field

Tools

Python

R

Job description

ETH Zurich and the WSL-Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, , Switzerland

Apply before: 9 October 2026

Position

Posting:

PhD position

Apply Before

9 October 2026

Apply Online

https://jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG ethz esjWnLgV1uifiJ1JQt

We invite applications for a Doctoral Student on impacts of climate and hydrological extremes on water quality. The position will be hosted at the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science at ETH Zurich and the WSL-Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF and will be part of the NCCR CLIM+ programme which is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).

Project background

The NCCR CLIM+ supports Switzerland in the transformation towards a climate-resilient society. Together with stakeholders, the interdisciplinary NCCR CLIM+ research community tackles unexplored solution spaces to the climate crisis and develops a blueprint for actionable climate research worldwide. NCCR CLIM+ broadly communicates and shares knowledge, and trains a new generation of experts with the necessary domain and transdisciplinary knowledge.

Job Description

• Study the effect of climate and hydrological extremes (e.g. heatwaves, droughts, and floods) on water quality (e.g. nutrients, oxygen)
• Use these process-related insights to develop data-driven models to predict water quality under climate change
• Publish your results in scientific journals and present them at national and international conferences
  
  

Profile

• A MSc degree in hydrology, climate sciences, environmental sciences, or a closely related field
• Strong hydrological process knowledge
• Experience in statistical and/or data-driven modeling
• Strong programming skills (ideally in Python and/or R)
• Experience in working with large datasets, ideally hydrological, meteorological or climate observations/simulations.
• Very good oral and written communication skills in English
• Command of one of the national languages is an asset
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary and international working environment and a collaborative mindset
  
  

Link to the job ad and further information: https://jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG_ethz_esjWnLgV1uifiJ1JQt

Best regards,

Manuela Brunner

Of interest for:

• Hydrology Focus Research Group