Postdoc on the risks of riverine heatwaves

European Geosciences Union (EGU); Davos; On-site; CHF 82,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF in Davos is inviting a Postdoc to study riverine heatwave risks, in collaboration with ETH Zurich. The position runs for two years starting spring 2027 and focuses on hydro-climatic extremes in mountain regions.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD, has strong programming (R/Python), statistics, and data science skills, a solid publication record, and excellent English communication for international work.

Qualifications

• Hold a PhD degree in hydrology, environmental sciences, climate sciences, or a closely related field.
• Strong skills in programming (R or Python), statistics, risk assessments, and data science.
• A good publication record with respect to your career stage and research interests in climate change and hydrology.
• Very good oral and written communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Work in the project RiHeat, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
• Assess risks of riverine heatwaves for fish populations and energy production in the Central Alps under current and future climate conditions.
• Publish results in scientific journals and present them at international conferences.
• Work location will be at SLF in Davos with possible collaboration with ETH Zurich.

Skills

R

Python

Statistics

Data science

Risk assessment

English proficiency

Education

PhD

Job description

Position

Postdoc on the risks of riverine heatwaves (f/m/d)

Employer

WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF

Location

Davos Dorf, Switzerland

Sector

Academic

Relevant divisions

• Climate: Past, Present & Future (CL)


• Hydrological Sciences (HS)

Type

Full time

Level

Experienced

Salary

89000 - 95000 € / Year

Required education

PhD

Application deadline

4 November 2026

Posted

14 October 2026

Job Description

The group Hydrology and Climate Impacts in Mountain Regions at the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF in Davos and the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich predicts hydro-climatic extreme events in mountain regions and quantifies their future changes. The group has strong expertise in water resources, extreme value analyses, statistical modelling, and climate impact assessments and is looking, from spring 2027 for two years, for a Postdoc on the risks of riverine heatwaves (f/m/d).

Responsibilities

• Work in the project \"Riverine heatwaves under climate change (RiHeat)\", which is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.


• Assess the risks of riverine heatwaves for (a) fish populations and (b) energy production in the Central Alps under current and future climate conditions.


• Publish results in scientific journals and present them at international conferences.


• Work location will be at SLF in Davos with the possibility to collaborate closely with people at the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science at ETH Zurich.

Requirements

• Hold a PhD degree in hydrology, environmental sciences, climate sciences, or a closely related field.


• Strong skills in programming (e.g. R or Python), statistics, risk assessments, and data science.


• A good publication record with respect to your career stage and research interests in climate change and hydrology.


• Very good oral and written communication skills in English.


• Motivated to work in an interdisciplinary and international working environment and enjoyable working in a beautiful and varied mountain environment.