PhD Student in Silviculture and Forest Ecology (100%) in Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. It is renowned for its excellent education, its cutting-edge fundamental research and its efforts to put new knowledge and innovations directly into practice. The Forest Management Group at ETH Zurich is a dynamic and young team that is engaged in teaching and research of multifunctional silvicultural concepts. We offer world-class facilities in a relaxing work atmosphere in the heart of Zurich with lots of opportunities for national and international collaboration. The Forest Management group seeks to appoint, by 15 September 2019 or by mutual agreement, a

to study the interactive effects of species mixture and forest management on drought sensitivity and productivity of tree species at diverse spatiotemporal scales along environmental gradients in Central Europe. First, you will combine long-term forest inventory and annually resolved tree-ring data from sites covering a large gradient of productivity and environmental conditions to assess the dynamic complementarity effects of mixed forests across a range of spatial and temporal resolutions. Second, forest growth model (e.g. 3-PG) will be coupled with tree-ring and forest inventory data to determine the influence of forest structure and climate change on drought tolerance of tree species. You will identify the different temporal scales at which species mixing influences drought sensitivity of tree species and stand productivity and ultimately provide essential information on the mixture processes that are needed for the management of mixed-species forests under climate change.

You will publish your results in international scientific journals and present them at conferences. You will closely collaborate with the “Stand Dynamics and Silviculture” group at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL and with the Forest Ecology Group at ETH Zurich.

We look forward to receiving your online application including the following documents (in English or German): a cover letter explaining your interests, a comprehensive CV, list of publications (if available), diploma transcripts (BSc/MSc) from which the grades are evident, and the names and addresses (including e-mail) of three reference persons. Screening of applications will start on 30 June 2019. Applications are accepted until the position is filled. Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.