Doctoral Student in Forest Management Effects on Water Quality / Doctoral Student in Forest Management Effects on Water Quality

Doctoral Student in Forest Management Effects on Water Quality

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The student will be hosted between the WaldLab Ecohydrology and Silviculture groups. The WaldLab Ecohydrology group is part of the Chair of Hydrology and River System Science at the ETH Zurich Institute of Environmental Engineering, with expertise in water chemistry assessments in forested ecosystems. The Silviculture group belongs to the Chair of Forest Resources Management at the ETH Zurich Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems and specializes in silviculture and forest management. We are seeking a reliable, enthusiastic, and highly motivated doctoral student with a passion for interdisciplinary science to join our team.

Project Background

This position is part of the project "Forest Management and Drinking Water Security under Climate Change," supported by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment. The project investigates the critical link between forest ecosystem management and health and the quality of drinking water across Switzerland. As climate change intensifies disturbances such as droughts, windthrows, and pest outbreaks, understanding how forest structure and management influence water quality outcomes is vital. The project integrates country-wide data analysis, water quality monitoring of spring networks, and detailed mechanistic insights into subsurface flow routing and transit times. Collaboration with forest and drinking water stakeholders, as well as decision-making authorities, is fundamental; therefore, a solid understanding of Central European and Swiss forest ecosystems—including species composition, development stages, and silvicultural practices—is essential for this role.

Job Description

The doctoral project focuses on assessing the resilience of Swiss drinking water resources to forest changes and management interventions. As the successful candidate, your work will include:

• National-Scale Data Integration: Analyzing gradients in forest cover and structure (e.g., tree species mixtures, density) in relation to long-term drinking water parameters, accounting for hydrogeology and land-use history.
• Field Monitoring & Sampling: Conducting water quality assessments across Swiss-wide spring networks to identify how management practices influence resilience during event-driven disturbances.
• Mechanistic Investigations: Monitoring intensively instrumented experimental sites to determine how forest health and structure alter subsurface flow routing and contamination pulses.
• Synthesis & Strategy Development: Developing and evaluating suitable management strategies to reduce drinking water risks.
• Stakeholder Communication: Performing statistical analyses and modeling to translate findings into actionable management recommendations for water abstractions.

The full-time position is funded for four years. Salary and social benefits are provided according to ETH Zurich rules.

Profile

To be considered for this role, you must have completed a Master’s degree in hydrology, environmental sciences, forest sciences, ecology, or a closely related field with experience in water chemistry, silviculture, experimental fieldwork, and large-scale data analysis. Good statistical skills and programming experience (e.g., in R or Python) are required. Excellent written and spoken English, as well as a driver’s license, are mandatory. Knowledge of German and other Swiss national languages is advantageous. Strong writing skills and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment are expected.

Workplace

Join us in an inspiring, international, and interdisciplinary work environment at a world-leading research institute.

We Offer

• An inspiring, international, and interdisciplinary work environment in a world-leading research institute.
• Opportunities to collaborate with practitioners and federal/cantonal offices.
• Opportunities to present research at national and international conferences.
• A supportive environment for developing your scientific career.
• Participation in and shaping a dynamic research team with supportive colleagues, fostering collaboration and mutual learning.
• Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure.

Your role at ETH Zurich matters: not only will you enhance your professional development, but you will also actively contribute to positive societal change. Enjoy numerous benefits, including public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare, and attractive pension benefits.

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity, and nurture a working and learning environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Sustainability is a core value for us; we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

We look forward to receiving your online application using the form below. Please include the following documents:

• Letter of motivation (max. two pages).
• CV.
• Bachelor's and Master's certificates with complete transcripts.
• List of publications (if available).
• Contact information for two referees.

The envisioned starting date is July 1, 2026, with interviews for candidates commencing in May 2026. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

For further information about the WaldLab Ecohydrology and the Silviculture groups, please visit the respective websites. Questions regarding the positions should be directed to Dr. Marius Floriancic and Dr. Mathieu Lévesque by email: floriancic@ifu.baug.ethz.ch and mathieu.levesque@usys.ethz.ch.

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specializing in science and technology. Renowned for excellent education, cutting-edge research, and a direct transfer of knowledge into society, ETH Zurich promotes independent thinking and inspires excellence. With over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries, our university collaborates to develop solutions for today and tomorrow’s global challenges.