PhD position on Multivariate Extremes in a Changing Climate in Zürich

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The group for Land-Climate Dynamics () at the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Sciences has a PhD position open as part of the H2020 MSCA-ITN Project EDIPI (european weather Extremes: DrIvers, Predictability and Impacts, ). The start of the project is planned on September 1, 2021 or by agreement.

Climate extremes count among the most impactful consequences of climate change. The Land-Climate Dynamics group led by Prof. Sonia I. Seneviratne () has extensive expertise in the investigation of climate extremes in the context of climate change.

The EDIPI project

EDIPI is a 4-year project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 956396, and it focuses on the drivers, predictability and impacts of several climate extremes in Europe. As part of the position, you will be working within a strong, cross-disciplinary network of leading universities, research institutes and private-sector partners across Europe and beyond. You will have access to unique training opportunities, will complete international secondments and will contribute to the development of a vibrant network of senior and emerging scientists. The training will open up both academic and private-sector future career paths.

PhD research topic

This PhD project aims to quantify how multivariate extremes (extreme events resulting from multivariate components), compound events (concomitant or clustered extremes) and their impacts are changing in a warming climate. The focus will be on the exposure and vulnerability of population centres and agricultural areas in Europe to dry/hot and humid/hot extremes, under scenarios at 1.5°C, 2°C and higher global warming. The project will also verify the existence of critical warming thresholds for European impacts. A focus will be the evaluation of low-emissions scenarios (1.5°C vs 2°C) and the relevance of land use changes from Integrated Assessment Models in determining exposure and possible impacts, e.g., resulting from agricultural or biofuel expansion, or afforestation/reforestation.

Research group environment and related projects

You would work in a dynamic research group and collaborate with scientists involved in further related research projects including the DAMOCLES COST Action (), as well as the newly funded H2020 XAIDA (Extreme Events: Artificial Intelligence for Detection and Attribution) and PROVIDE (Paris Agreement Overshooting: Reversibility, Climate Impacts, and Adaptation Needs) projects.

Candidates of all nationalities are welcome, provided they have not resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the institution where they apply for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. At the time of recruitment the candidates must be in the first four years of their research careers and must not yet have been awarded a Ph. D. or equivalent degree. A degree in climate science, atmospheric sciences, statistics, or related fields is of advantage.

The candidates will be short listed basted on the materials in the application, the top ranked candidates will be interviewed digitally and the references will be collected.

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.