PhD Position in Forest Ecology and Silviculture / PhD Position in Forest Ecology and Silviculture

PhD Position in Forest Ecology and Silviculture

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Silviculture Group at ETH Zürich, in collaboration with the Stand Dynamics and Silviculture Group at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, is seeking an enthusiastic PhD candidate to study the short-term adaptation of beech regeneration to climate change. The successful candidate will be based in the Silviculture Group at ETH (Dr. Mathieu Lévesque) and will work closely with Dr. Julia Schwarz at WSL, dedicating time to both institutions.

Project Background

European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a key tree species in Swiss forests and is increasingly threatened by drought due to climate change. This collaborative project aims to investigate the adaptive potential of natural beech regeneration in forests that are increasingly affected by drought. Specifically, it will explore whether young beech trees established after the extreme drought in 2018 have developed better adaptations to drought stress, and how salvage logging influences this short-term adaptation. The project is crucial for developing adaptive silvicultural strategies that sustain ecosystem services in beech-dominated forests.

Job Description

The PhD candidate will conduct field research and analyses in beech forests across Switzerland with the following responsibilities:

• Assess regeneration dynamics, vitality, and species composition in beech stands.
• Analyze the growth and biomass allocation of young beech trees before and after drought.
• Conduct physiological measurements to evaluate drought resilience and water-use strategies.

This role involves close collaboration with an interdisciplinary team at both ETH Zürich and WSL, as well as engagement with forestry practitioners and federal and cantonal authorities. The candidate will perform statistical analysis, present findings at conferences, and publish results in scientific journals and articles for practitioners. Additionally, the doctoral candidate is expected to contribute to group responsibilities (e.g., teaching, outreach, lab activities) at ETH and WSL.

Profile

• MSc degree in Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Plant Physiology, or related fields.
• Strong interest in climate adaptation of forests, tree regeneration, and tree physiology.
• Willingness to travel and undertake extended fieldwork for data collection.
• Driving license.
• Experience in ecological data analysis and statistical programming (R or Python).
• Motivation to conduct interdisciplinary, practice-oriented research.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written).
• Knowledge of a Swiss national language (German and/or French) is an asset.

Workplace

A vibrant and innovative work environment is offered at two world-leading research institutes. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to participate in a highly relevant project on forest adaptation to climate change and collaborate with forestry practitioners and federal and cantonal forestry offices. Presenting research at national and international conferences and accessing state-of-the-art research infrastructure at WSL and ETH are additional benefits. Training opportunities will also be available.

We Value Diversity

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 in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to learn more about how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

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About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specializing in science and technology. Renowned for its excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research, and the direct transfer of new knowledge into society, ETH attracts over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries. The university fosters independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence, located in the heart of Europe while connecting globally to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.