PhD Student 100% (f/m/d)

Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft WSL; Davos; On-site; CHF 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

WSL - Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft invites applications for a PhD student to join a research collaboration with SUPSI.

The project focuses on developing and testing new methodologies to study large, deep-seated landslides in the Southern Swiss Alps, using field work, monitoring, remote sensing, and numerical modelling to understand spatial and temporal evolution. The student will primarily work at Davos (WSL/SLF) with occasional periods at SUPSI Mendrisio and field

Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering or natural sciences.
• Excellent skills in mass movements investigation, remote sensing, field work, and handling large data sets.
• Experience in satellite radar interferometry and programming.
• Very good command of English and ability to work independently.
• Italian language is an asset due to interaction with SUPSI and cantonal authorities in Ticino.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and implement new methodologies to investigate large deep-seated landslides.
• Analyze two landslide sites using field work, monitoring, remote sensing, and numerical modelling.
• Provide potential hazard scenarios to help cantonal authorities define countermeasures for protection of infrastructure and population.
• Be based mainly at SLF in Davos with periods at SUPSI Mendrisio and field work in Canton Ticino.

Skills

Mass movements investigation

Remote sensing

Field work

Large data handling

Programming

English language proficiency

Education

Master's degree in engineering or natural sciences

Tools

Satellite radar interferometry

Job description

As part of a research agreement between WSL/SLF and Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana (SUPSI), with the support of the UPIP Canton Ticino, the student will work on the development, test, and implementation of new methodologies to investigate large deep‑seated landslides in the Southern Swiss Alps. The focus will be on the analysis of two landslide sites, where a combination of field work, monitoring, remote sensing, and numerical modelling will be used to better understand mass movement spatial and temporal evolution. The results are expected to provide potential hazard scenarios and to help cantonal authorities to better define potential countermeasures for the protection of infrastructures and population,

The student will be mainly based at SLF in Davos, however, several periods of work in the SUPSI Campus in Mendrisio as well as field work in Canton Ticino are expected. The main supervisor of the PhD Thesis will be PD Dr. Andrea Manconi (ETH, D-EAPS).

You have a master's degree in engineering or natural sciences. You have excellent skills in mass movements investigation, remote sensing, field work, and on handling large data sets. You have previous experience in satellite radar interferometry and programming. You have a very good command of English and enjoy working independently. Italian language is an important asset due to the interaction with SUPSI and cantonal authorities in Ticino.

WSL aims to increase the proportion of women, so qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.