Postdoc on the Risks of Riverine Heatwaves

WSL - Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research; Davos; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

WSL - Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research in Davos, Switzerland, invites applications for a Postdoc position in the RiHeat project. You will assess risks from riverine heatwaves to fish and power plants under climate change, and contribute to interdisciplinary research and reporting.

The role requires a PhD in a closely related field, strong programming skills (R or Python), and experience in statistics and data science.

Qualifications

• PhD in hydrology, environmental sciences, climate sciences or closely related field.
• Strong skills in programming (R or Python), statistics, risk assessments and data science.
• A good publication record relative to career stage and research interests.

Responsibilities

• Assess the 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 at international conferences.
• Collaborate with colleagues at the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science at ETH Zurich.

Skills

Programming (R or Python)

Statistics

Risk assessments

Data science

Publication record

Education

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

Tools

R

Python

Job description

Postdoc on the Risks of Riverine Heatwaves

WSL - Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research

Davos, Switzerland

You will work in the project "Riverine heatwaves under climate change (RiHeat)", which is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. Anomalously high river water temperatures introduce thermal stress to fish and other aquatic species and reduce the thermal cooling efficiency of power plants, in particular if they persist over time. Despite the potentially severe impacts of riverine heatwaves, there exists limited understanding of their occurrence, drivers, future changes, and risks.

Within the RiHeat project, you will assess the risks of riverine heatwaves for (a) fish populations and (b) energy production in the Central Alps under current and future climate conditions. You will publish your results in scientific journals and present them at international conferences.

The 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.

You hold a PhD degree in hydrology, environmental sciences, climate sciences, or a closely related field. We seek candidates with 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 complete your profile.

We encourage applications from enthusiastic and dedicated individuals who have very good oral and written communication skills in English. You are motivated to work in an interdisciplinary and international working environment and you would enjoy working in a beautiful and varied mountain environment.