PhD Student in Forest Ecology (100%) in Zürich

to study the drought sensitivity and growth performance of native and non-native tree species along environmental gradients. With the rise in temperature and increase in drought frequency, the use of non-native tree species has been promoted as an adaptive silvicultural strategy for the sustainable provision of forest ecosystem goods and services. However, little is known about the influence of site conditions, species composition, mixture proportion and competition on species-specific drought sensitivity and growth performance.

The PhD student will assess the growth and physiological responses to drought of European larch, silver fir and Douglas fir at different time scales and along environmental gradients based on tree-ring and stable isotope analyses. The PhD student will plan and conduct dendrochronological field and lab work, including the analysis of carbon and oxygen stable isotopes in tree rings. The results of the thesis will be published in international scientific journals and presented at conferences. You will closely collaborate with people 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.