PostDoc in Urban Tree Ecophysiology and Ecohydrology (f/m/d)

Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft WSL; Vaud; On-site; CHF 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) in Lausanne invites applications for a 2-year PostDoc in Urban Tree Ecophysiology and Ecohydrology, starting January 2027. You will join NovaCity to study urban green infrastructure performance using field measurements and modelling, with collaborative work at Sion, Fribourg and Winterthur.

The role requires a PhD in a relevant field, strong quantitative and writing skills, and experience with data analysis in R or Python.

Qualifications

• PhD in plant physiology, urban ecology, ecohydrology or a related field.
• Strong quantitative and scientific writing skills.
• Excellent communication, self-motivation and teamwork in interdisciplinary research.
• Experience with data analysis and modelling in R or Python is essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-situ measurements of tree water use and soil moisture.
• Parameterise an urban ecohydrological model using site data.
• Collaborate with local stakeholders and program partners across multiple sites.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Scientific writing

Field research

R / Python data analysis

Education

PhD in plant physiology / urban ecology / ecohydrology

Tools

Sap flow sensors

Soil moisture sensors

Remote sensing data

Job description

The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL focuses on the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on the handling of natural hazards. WSL is part of the ETH Domain and employs approximately 600 people, of whom 10 are based in Lausanne.

PostDoc in Urban Tree Ecophysiology and Ecohydrology (f/m/d)

The Research Unit Forest and Soil Ecology investigates the functioning and interactions of vegetation with the environment in natural and urban systems. The Functional Plant Ecology group at the Lausanne site is offering a 2-year position, starting in January 2027, as a

You will be part of the WSL research program NovaCity that aims to support stakeholders in rendering urban areas more sustainable, resilient, and livable with nature-based solutions. Based at WSL Lausanne, your work will focus on improving the understanding of urban green infrastructure performance for cooling and rainwater retention, and identifying tree-soil combinations that reduce urban heat. For this, you will combine in-situ measurements of tree water use and water status with soil hydraulic characterisation, continuous soil-moisture and matric-potential monitoring, and microclimate observations. You will use these site-level results to parameterise an urban ecohydrological model and, using remote sensing data, to scale up to spatially explicit, citywide assessment of urban green function for cooling. Measurements and analyses will be conducted at multiple sites in Sion, Fribourg and Winterthur, and in close collaboration with local stakeholders and program partners. You will work in an interdisciplinary team spanning plant ecophysiology (WSL Lausanne), soil ecohydrology and remote sensing (WSL Birmensdorf).

You hold a PhD in plant physiology, urban ecology, ecohydrology or a related field, and possess strong quantitative and scientific writing skills. You have excellent communication skills, are self-motivated, and demonstrate an aptitude for field research and commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary research. Familiarity with field instrumentation (e.g. sap flow, soil-moisture sensors) is an advantage as is knowledge of spatial/remote sensing data. Experience with data analysis and modelling in e.g. R or Python is essential. You have excellent written and spoken English skills, proficiency in French and German is an advantage.

WSL is committed to diversity and inclusion as core values. We actively promote gender equality and foster an open, inclusive work environment.

Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf

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