PhD candidate in Soil Hydrology 100% (m/f/d)

The research unit Mountain Hydrology and Mass Movements develops new methods for observing and analyzing hydrological processes in the landscape. A key focus is on developing adaptation measures in light of future drought situations. In this area, we are looking for a candidate starting in late autumn 2025 or by agreement.

You will investigate the effect of open drainage ditches (Keyline systems) and trees (agroforestry) on water retention in agricultural plots. You will conduct extensive soil moisture measurements using drone-based remote sensing methods and in-situ measurement systems, and use numerical soil hydrology models to explain the observed soil moisture patterns. A methodological challenge of your work is the combination of different measurement techniques with varying spatial resolutions and measurement ranges, allowing for detailed soil moisture patterns to be derived. You will publish your analyses and results in scientific journals and communicate them at scientific conferences and to interested environmental and agricultural professionals.

You have a Master's degree in Soil Physics, Hydrology, or a related field in Geo- or Engineering Sciences, preferably with a specialization or specific interest in measurement technology or remote sensing. You are curious, committed, and interested in both practical agricultural questions and detailed soil hydrological processes. With your practical readiness to engage, you will actively participate in fieldwork. You communicate effortlessly in English, ideally also in German. Basic programming skills (R, Python, and/or Matlab) are required. Your workplace and primary supervision are at the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL in Birmensdorf (about 20 minutes outside of Zurich). At the same time, you are enrolled as a PhD student at ETH Zurich (Soil Physics and Terrestrial Ecosystems).

Please send your complete application (cover letter, CV, existing diplomas) to Beatrice Lamprecht, Human Resources WSL, by submitting the required documents through our application portal. Applications via email or postal mail will not be considered. For questions, please feel free to contact  Manfred Stähli who is happy to assist you. At WSL, diversity and inclusion are lived values. We are committed to gender equality and promoting an open and inclusive work environment.