Forestry Mission Lead / Forestry Mission Lead

Join ETH Swiss GeoLab as Forestry Mission Lead

ETH Zurich is excited to announce the establishment of ETH Swiss GeoLab, a pioneering interdisciplinary unit within ETH Zurich | Space. As ETH Space evolves into one of the strategic centers of ETH Zurich, it comprises five key units dedicated to advancing our understanding and application of geospatial data.

ETH Swiss GeoLab is dedicated to Earth observation and its wide-ranging applications. Leveraging satellite, airborne, ground-based, and in-situ observations, the GeoLab employs AI-driven analysis methods and high-performance computing to develop innovative solutions for pressing societal and economic challenges.

Located in the D4 Business Village in Root, near Lucerne, ETH Swiss GeoLab operates at the intersection of research, technology development, and practical implementation. In its initial phase, the GeoLab concentrates on a select few high-impact focus areas where Earth observation, geodata, and AI-based analytics can deliver significant benefits to Switzerland. Key challenges addressed in forestry include forest health and vitality, climate resilience, biodiversity, carbon management, and support for forest owners, managers, and public authorities.

Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Verena Griess and Prof. Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, with Dr. Felix Seidel serving as Managing Director, ETH Swiss GeoLab is poised to evolve into a project-based hub comprising around 100 specialists in the years to come. The GeoLab is committed to collaborating closely with various entities, including ETH units, the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS), Swiss research institutions, public-sector stakeholders, and industry partners.

About the Role

This position is offered as a fixed-term appointment for an initial period of two years, with the option for extension. As the Forestry Mission Lead, you will lead the GeoLab Forestry Mission initiative. Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Defining an ambitious Forestry Mission addressing critical opportunities in forest health, resilience, sustainable management, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.
• Identifying operational gaps where ETH Swiss GeoLab can provide unique value to Swiss forestry and policy.
• Directly engaging with forest owners, managers, and a wide range of stakeholders to understand their needs and constraints.
• Translating forestry challenges into clear research and technical requirements.
• Establishing measurable mission outcomes and tracking progress against these objectives.
• Managing the mission budget and engaging with GeoLab’s Geo-Intelligence team for pilot projects and field validation.
• Representing ETH Swiss GeoLab across various communities and effectively communicating mission goals and progress.

Qualifications

We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications:

• A Master’s or PhD degree (preferred) in forestry, natural resource management, environmental sciences, or related fields.
• Several years of experience in applied research or operational implementation within forestry management or related sectors, preferably in Switzerland.
• Strong expertise in forest management, planning, and the information needs of forestry practitioners.
• A comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and limitations of Earth observation and data-driven methods for forestry applications.
• Proven ability to identify operational issues and translate them into actionable initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills coupled with experience in diverse team collaboration.
• Strong project and budget management skills, with experience in transparent reporting and tracking tools.
• Excellent communication skills in English and German, with proficiency in French considered an asset.

The ideal candidate will be mission-driven, entrepreneurial, and eager to contribute to a newly established and evolving organization. You will combine scientific credibility with pragmatic decision-making, a focus on adoption, and an understanding of public value.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the ETH Swiss GeoLab from its inception and contribute to a national initiative for Earth observation. You will enjoy:

• A mission-focused leadership role with significant impact on Swiss forestry.
• The chance to tackle urgent forest management and environmental challenges in Switzerland.
• A dynamic, interdisciplinary environment at one of the world's leading technical universities.
• A vibrant workplace in Root/Lucerne, integrated within an active innovation ecosystem.

We look forward to receiving your online application using the form below.

Kindly ensure that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

For further information about ETH Swiss GeoLab, please visit our website.