Postdoctoral Researcher in AI for Climate Information Inference
100%, Zurich, fixed-term
The postdoctoral researcher will advance the application of AI, large language models (LLMs), and machine learning to extract trustworthy climate information from extensive geospatial and Earth system datasets within the NCCR CLIM+ program. This role bridges climate science and AI, focusing on developing novel methods for climate data analysis, downscaling, and synthesis using foundation models (e.g., Google Earth AI, AlphaEarth, TerraTorch) on a cutting-edge HPC platform. The researcher will conduct publishable scientific research while building tools and pipelines that benefit the broader CLIM+ community. This position is jointly supervised by Prof. Andreas Prein, Prof. Erich Fischer, and Prof. Reto Knutti at ETH Zurich, along with Prof. Markus Leippold at the University of Zurich.
Project Background
Climate science is generating rapidly growing volumes of satellite, reanalysis, and model data, leading to new opportunities as well as significant challenges in transforming data into robust and useful information. This project aims to develop AI-based methods to extract, synthesize, and interpret trustworthy climate information from large and complex Earth system datasets within the NCCR CLIM+ programme.
Job Description
- Design, develop, and apply AI/ML methods, including large language models (LLMs) and foundation models, to extract, synthesize, and reason about trustworthy climate information from large-scale geospatial, satellite, reanalysis, and climate model datasets.
- Advanced physics-aware machine learning for kilometer-scale climate process representation.
- Implement and evaluate advanced generative AI models for high-resolution climate downscaling, data assimilation, emulation, and post-processing of weather-to-climate predictions.
- Develop methods for uncertainty quantification in downscaled projections of extreme weather and climate hazards.
- Work with multimodal Earth system data, including satellite, airborne, in-situ, reanalysis, and high-resolution climate model outputs.
- Build robust, scalable software tools and data pipelines for processing large geospatial datasets, enabling CLIM+ project partners and the broader research community to leverage AI-driven climate information.
- Develop and maintain reproducible research workflows using modern software engineering practices (version control, testing, documentation, containerization).
- Conduct original, publishable scientific research generating novel insights at the intersection of AI and climate science.
- Write and submit peer-reviewed journal papers, present at international conferences, and contribute to NCCR CLIM+ reporting and grant proposals.
- Ensure that the research produces both scientific insight and methodological contributions to the field.
- Collaborate closely with research groups at ETH (Prein, Knutti, Fischer) and UZH (Leippold, Vaghefi, Colesanti Senni) to align AI development with climate science research questions.
- Participate in CLIM+ programme activities, workshops, and cross-project initiatives.
- Contribute to the supervision of students and interns where appropriate.
Profile
- PhD in climate science, atmospheric science, computer science, data science, physics, applied mathematics, remote sensing, or a related field.
- Strong publication record in AI, machine learning, or Earth system data science.
- Experience with large geospatial datasets, remote sensing, reanalyses, or climate/weather model outputs.
- Proficiency in Python and machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.
- Experience with HPC and GPU-accelerated computing.
- Familiarity with foundation models / LLMs; interest in reproducible workflows.
- Interest in reproducible workflows and scientific software development.
- Independent, proactive, and collaborative working style with strong communication skills.
Workplace
Join us in a vibrant research community focused on tackling global climate challenges through innovative AI solutions.
We Offer
- An exciting interdisciplinary research environment at the forefront of climate science and AI.
- A collaborative and supportive team culture with close exchange across ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, and the NCCR CLIM+ network.
- Strong support for career development through mentoring, scientific networking, publications, and conference participation.
- Access to state-of-the-art computing infrastructure and unique large-scale climate and geospatial datasets.
- Opportunities to develop your own research ideas and build an independent scientific profile.
- A modern and inclusive workplace with attractive employment conditions and flexible working arrangements in line with institutional guidelines.
We Value Diversity and Sustainability
ETH Zurich promotes an inclusive culture. We encourage 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, and we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.
Curious? So Are We.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
For further information about the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, please visit our website. If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
About ETH Zürich
ETH Zurich is one of the world-leading universities specializing in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research, and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university a place that promotes independent thinking and inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections worldwide, we work together to develop solutions for today's and tomorrow's global challenges.