PhD Candidate in Landscape Science / PhD Candidate in Landscape Science

PhD Position in Landscape Science

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Chair of Planning Landscape and Urban Systems (PLUS) invites qualified candidates to apply for a 4-year PhD position within the SNF-funded National Research Programme NRP82 (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) project NewUrbES - Co-creating new urban living space for biodiversity and ecosystem services. This interdisciplinary research project aims to co-create innovative urban ecosystems as living spaces that nurture high biodiversity and support ecosystem services through the innovative use of digital technologies. Join us as we envision and shape the future!

Project Background

Urbanization presents both challenges and opportunities for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service provision. Our project advocates for a paradigm shift in urban design and planning, transforming cities into ecosystems where buildings function as living entities that seamlessly integrate with their surroundings. Building envelopes—such as facades and roofs—are crucial for creating continuous habitats for both human and non-human species, promoting biodiversity and enhancing ecosystem services in urban settings. Achieving such new urban living spaces requires expansion of our ecological and technical knowledge along with radical advancements in urban design and planning, encouraging city inhabitants to accept that natural processes shape their environments.

This highly interdisciplinary project brings together experts from architecture and design (Prof. Maria Conen and Flurina Gradin, ETHZ), urban ecology (Prof. Dr. Christoph Küffer, HSR), material sciences (Prof. Dr. Guillaume Habert, ETHZ), and landscape planning and urban science (Prof. Dr. Adrienne Gêt-Regamey), supported by our practice partner, the foundation Natur & Wirtschaft. We aim to push boundaries in co-developing livable cities for humans and non-human species. Centered in three real-world laboratories in Switzerland, NewUrbES aims to gather empirical evidence on the potential of new building envelopes to reduce the global biodiversity footprint and restore, or enhance, biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Our approach employs a design-science loop, where insights derived from real-world and virtual experiments inform iterative design processes. This approach not only fosters learning about new urban living spaces but also facilitates their responsible implementation within existing urban environments. Additionally, NewUrbES seeks to co-produce adaptive governance mechanisms using serious games, enabling stakeholders to navigate the complexities of urban transformation towards sustainability.

Job Description

Your research will focus on two main components:

• You will enhance current ecosystem services models tailored to the building context and novel ecosystems built with partially artificial nature-based materials. These models will be integrated into a design-science loop (Urech et al., 2020; Salliou et al., 2024) supported by a 3D point cloud-based tool, which you will develop in collaboration with a software engineer. In close partnership with architects through several Design Research Studios, you will utilize the tool to co-create new urban living spaces.
• You will collaborate with our practice partner to design a serious game that facilitates negotiations among stakeholders concerning urban transformation and co-defines actionable plans.

The PhD candidate will interact not only with an interdisciplinary project team but also with stakeholders from the building materials industry, circular materials associations, federal administration, nature conservation representatives, and members of the Swiss Engineering Association (SIA).

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with:

• A strong interest in urban and landscape planning
• A Master’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, landscape or urban science, geography, or a related field
• Solid analytical and data skills, with experience in computer modeling, including Python and GIS
• Excellent communication skills in English; proficiency in French and/or German is desirable for stakeholder engagement
• A willingness to work in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary environments and engage with practice-based partners

Beyond research excellence, we value integrity, authenticity, and empathy in our candidates.

Workplace

We Offer

• Participation in an exciting project conducted within a multicultural, interdisciplinary, and dynamic research group, equipped with state-of-the-art computational and lab facilities.
• A supportive research environment at ETH Zurich, a leading global university in science and technology.
• Close collaboration with a national consortium of academic and practice partners.
• Opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research influencing policy and implementation in Switzerland and beyond.
• Salary according to ETH Zurich standards and above SNF standards.
• Flexible working hours and the possibility of home office, with significant independence.

We Value Diversity

In line with our values, ETH Zurich promotes an inclusive culture. We advocate for equality of opportunity, value diversity, and foster a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website for more information on how we maintain a fair and open environment that allows everyone to thrive.

Curious? So Are We.

We invite you to apply online using the form below.

• A motivation letter (max. 2 pages)
• CV
• A writing sample (e.g., Master's thesis)
• Contact information for two references

Start date: Expected November 1st, to be discussed and agreed upon with selected candidates. We prioritize excellence and may adjust the starting date accordingly.

Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is among the world’s leading universities specializing in science and technology, renowned for its exceptional education, avant-garde research, and the direct transfer of new knowledge to society. With over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries, we cultivate independent thinking and foster an inspiring environment that drives excellence. Located in the heart of Europe but connected globally, we collaboratively develop solutions for the urgent challenges of today and tomorrow.