Graduate Assistant in Quantitative Precipitation Estimation

Introduction

A leading international teaching and research institution, UNIL has nearly 5,000 staff members and 17,000 students, distributed between the Dorigny campus and the CHUV and Epalinges sites. As an employer, it promotes excellence, recognition of individuals, and responsibility.

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Presentation

To complete its team, the Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics (IDYST) of the Faculty of Geosciences and Environment at the University of Lausanne is seeking a graduate assistant in quantitative precipitation estimation.

Environmental data most often unfold over time and space. This is notably the case for climate data (e.g. temperatures, precipitation, climate proxies such as isotopic compositions), which exhibit complex structures and marked trends, especially under the effect of climate change. The analysis of these data is made difficult by constraints such as non-stationarities, the presence of extreme events, and inherent limitations of the available information. In this context, computational and statistical tools play a central role in describing these data, extracting relevant information, identifying trends, and drawing robust interpretations from available data.

The aim of this thesis is to mobilise and develop advanced geostatistical tools, such as approaches based on covariance functions, training images, or machine learning methods. These tools will be applied to existing environmental and climate data sets, then innovatively adapted to overcome certain obstacles specific to these data, notably their spatio-temporal heterogeneity, non-stationary nature, and rarity of extreme observations. The generation of new environmental data (e.g. "stochastic weather generators") will also be a central focus of the project. These developments will rely on the use and improvement of spatio-temporal statistical models developed at the GAIA laboratory of UNIL.

The PhD will be hosted at the Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics ( www.unil.ch/idyst ) within the GAIA laboratory ( https://wp.unil.ch/gaia ), in collaboration with the Centre of Expertise on Climate Extremes ( www.unil.ch/ecce ).

Job Information

Start date: from 01.08.2026

Contract duration: 1 year, renewable 2 x 2 years, maximum 5 years

Work rate: 80%

Workplace: Lausanne Mouline (Géopolis)

Your Activities

The majority of the work (at least 50% of the rate - but probably more) will be dedicated to completing a doctoral thesis on the subjects mentioned above.

A smaller part of the work (up to 50% of the rate, but probably less) will consist of assisting with teaching and research activities: teaching under the supervision of a professor, research work unrelated to the personal thesis topic, and technical and administrative tasks related to the Institute's activities.

Employment conditions are available at the following address: https://www.unil.ch/files/live/sites/unil/files/05-travailler/0503-avantages/baremes-2026/BARM_ %20Assistant_doctorant_2026.pdf

Your Profile

Applicants must demonstrate motivation and enthusiasm for conducting a doctoral thesis on the development of statistical models that include physical and environmental processes. The ideal candidate will hold a Master’s degree in geosciences, climatology, mathematics, physics, computer science, or a related field. A solid foundation in applied mathematics and programming, demonstrated by academic work (e.g. MSc thesis and/or publications), is essential. Knowledge of geostatistics or machine learning, as well as experience in managing remote sensing or climate data, are assets.

The candidate must be ready to develop and use advanced numerical methods, such as geostatistics and machine learning.

Excellent written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable but not essential.

Your Benefits

A pleasant working environment in a multicultural and diverse academic setting.
Opportunities for continuing education, a multitude of activities, and other benefits to discover.

More information at unil.ch/travailler

For Further Information

Professor Grégoire Mariéthoz

gregoire.mariethoz@unil.ch

Your Application

Application deadline: 08.05.2026

Please send us your complete application in Word or PDF format including:

• Cover letter,
• Curriculum Vitae, 
• Copies of university diplomas and transcripts, 
• An electronic version of a research output (e.g. MSc thesis, research report, conference paper or other scientific publication),
• A brief description of a potential thesis project related to the position (1 page).

Only applications submitted via this site will be considered.
Thank you for your understanding.

Remarks

UNIL is committed to:
•    Equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
•    Ensuring an open, respectful environment conducive to personal development;
•    Offering working conditions favourable to balancing different spheres of life;
•    Supporting scientific succession.

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