Postdoc on partitioning forest CO2 and water vapour fluxes

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Grassland Sciences group at ETH Zurich is a vibrant and international working group at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich. We are looking for a reliable, enthusiastic, and highly motivated postdoc with a passion for science to join our team in Zurich. Our research focuses on process- and system-understanding of the biosphere-atmosphere greenhouse gas exchange of forests and agroecosystems, in particular on their response to management and climate.

Project background

This position is embedded in a joint project between ETH Zurich, WSL (Dr. Roman Zweifel) and CzechGlobe on Innovative technologies cross scales to disentangle carbon dioxide and evapotranspiration fluxes of forests ( INETFLUX ). We aim to develop and validate new approaches to partition net ecosystem CO2 fluxes and evapotranspiration into their individual components--gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration as well as transpiration and evaporation--and to identify the environmental drivers that regulate these processes. We will use machine learning approaches (XGBoost, SHAP analyses) for the flux partitioning, complemented by existing tree dendrometer and sap flow measurements as well as stable isotopes in tree rings. Forest sites are located in Switzerland and Czech Republic.

Job description

Your main tasks will include:

• Development of knowledge-guided machine learning approaches to partition existing forest flux data sets across Europe
• Identification of flux drivers and their temporal development to understand responses of forests to climate and extreme events
• Compilation of tree dendrometer and sap flow data as additional constraints for flux partitioning
• Responsibility for one eddy-covariance flux station within the Swiss FluxNet
• Presentation of the results and publications
• 3-months stage at CzechGlobe, and
• Assistance in knowledge exchange and capacity building within the project, including workshops, training visits and co-supervision of doctoral students

The position is funded for up to three years. Salary and social benefits are provided according to ETH Zurich rules.

Profile

• Applicants must hold a PhD or doctoral degree with a strong proven research background in micrometeorology, greenhouse gas exchange, tree and/or ecosystem physiology
• Relevant research experience can be based on observations, modelling or statistical analyses
• Excellent command of large data analyses as well as very good English language skills are mandatory
• Driver’s license is required
• Experiences in knowledge exchange and student supervision are a plus

Workplace

We offer

• Your job with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society
• You can expect numerous benefits , such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ , childcare and attractive pension benefits

We value diversity and sustainability

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application until 1 April 2026 including the following documents:

• Letter of motivation
• CV with publication list
• Transcripts of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD/doctoral studies
• Contact information of two referees

The envisaged starting date is 1 July 2026 (or upon agreement). Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services or incomplete applications will not be considered.

For further information about the Grassland Sciences group please visit our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Dr. Nina Buchmann by email (nina.buchmann@ usys.ethz.ch) (no applications).

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising 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 to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.