PostDoc in Optical and Microwave Remote Sensing of Forest Water Dynamics 80-100% (f/m/d)

EPFL CED Centre d'Employabilité et de Développement / Employability and Development Center; Zürich; On-site; CHF 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL is seeking a PostDoc in Optical and Microwave Remote Sensing of Forest Water Dynamics for the HydraSense project, starting February 2027 for 2 years (80-100%). The role involves developing methods to retrieve vegetation water content from optical and microwave observations and collaborating with the EPFL PERL Lab.

You will deploy and operate GNSS‑T receivers and ground-based microwave radiometers, analyze multi-sensor data,

Qualifications

• Doctorat en télédétection, géophysique, génie électrique ou domaine connexe.
• Forte expérience en télédétection optique et/ou radar.
• Maîtrise de Python ou MATLAB pour l’analyse des données.
• Expérience avec instrumentation de terrain et modélisation de transfert radiatif est un atout.

Responsibilities

• Développer et évaluer des méthodes pour récupérer l’humidité des végétations à partir d’observations optiques et micro-ondes.
• Contribuer à l’exploitation et à l’opération de récepteurs GNSS‑T et radiomètres terrestres sur le site Pfynwald.
• Analyser des observations multi-capteurs et les relier à des mesures de terrain.
• Publier les résultats dans des revues internationales et présenter lors de conférences.

Skills

Télédétection

Programmation scientifique

Education

Doctorat en télédétection, géophysique, génie électrique ou domaine connexe

Tools

Récepteurs GNSS-T

Laser scanning terrestre

Job description

• Est de la Suisse / GR /Liechtenstein
  
• Est de la Suisse / GR /Liechtenstein
  

• eidg. Forschungsanstalt WSL
• 100%
• Académique: Post-doctorant
• Zürich & Schaffhouse
  

Description

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

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 Remote Sensing group of the Land Change Science Research Unit at WSL is looking, in the framework of the HydraSense research project, from February 2027 or by agreement, for the duration of 2 years (with the possibility of extension), for a PostDoc in Optical and Microwave Remote Sensing of Forest Water Dynamics 80-100% (f/m/d).

Climate-induced drought is increasingly threatening forest ecosystems, creating an urgent need for remote sensing approaches that can detect critical changes in tree water status and predict forest mortality. The HydraSense project aims to develop novel approaches combining optical and microwave remote sensing to monitor tree water dynamics and detect critical thresholds associated with drought-induced mortality. The project brings together expertise in remote sensing, environmental physics, and plant ecophysiology to advance our understanding and improve monitoring of forest responses to drought.

You will develop and evaluate approaches for retrieving vegetation water content from optical and microwave observations, including SWIR spectroscopy, multi-frequency (1.4-6.9 GHz) radiometry, and Global Navigation Satellite System Transmissometry (GNSS-T). You will contribute to the deployment and operation of GNSS-T receivers and ground-based microwave radiometers, along with in-situ measurements at the Pfynwald experimental forest site in Switzerland. You will process, analyze and integrate multi-sensor observations, investigate their sensitivity to vegetation water content and develop methods to disentangle water-related signals from structural effects using terrestrial laser scanning data. Working closely with experts in tree hydraulics at the PERL Lab of EPFL, led by Prof Charlotte Grossiord, you will relate remotely sensed signals to field and laboratory measurements of tree water status and hydraulic vulnerability. You will publish your results in international scientific journals and present them at scientific conferences.

You hold a PhD in remote sensing, geophysics, electrical engineering, environmental physics or a related quantitative discipline. You have a strong technical background in optical and/or microwave remote sensing, ideally with experience in spectroscopy, radiometry, electromagnetic modelling, or the processing and interpretation of multi-sensor observations. Proficiency in scientific programming (e.g., Python or MATLAB), quantitative data analysis, and the development of remote sensing retrieval methods is essential. Experience with field-based instrumentation, sensor calibration, or radiative transfer modelling is a strong asset. You are highly motivated to work at the interface of disciplines and to apply your technical expertise to questions in forest ecology and plant water relations. You enjoy collaborative research, are willing to participate in intensive field measurement campaigns, and demonstrate a high degree of independence, initiative and scientific curiosity.

Dr Petra D’Odorico, Dr Yiwen Zhou and Dr Mike Schwank will be happy to answer any questions or provide further information. WSL is committed to diversity and inclusion as core values. We actively promote gender equality and foster an open, inclusive work environment.

Date de publication

04.11.2026

Taux d'activité (%)

100%

Secteur d'activité

Administration publique/Associations/ONG

Type de travail

Gestion de l'environnement

Entrée en fonction

A convenir

Lieu de travail

Birmensdorf
Suisse

Informations de contact

Beatrice Lamprecht
[phone]
Email
Zürcherstrasse 111
8903 Birmensdorf