Doctoral Student in Forest Management Effects on Water Quality

Doctoral Student in Forest Management Effects on Water Quality

The student will be hosted between the WaldLab Ecohydrology group and the Silviculture group at ETH Zurich. The former is part of the Chair of Hydrology and River System Science; the latter is part of the Chair of Forest Resources Management. We are looking for a reliable, enthusiastic, and highly motivated doctoral student with a passion for interdisciplinary science to join our team.

Project background

This position is part of the project “Forest Management and Drinking Water Security under Climate Change” supported by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment. The project investigates the critical link between forest ecosystem management and the quality of drinking water across Switzerland. As climate change intensifies disturbances such as droughts, windthrows, and pest outbreaks, understanding how forest structure and management influence water quality outcomes is vital. Across national‑scale and experimental sites, the project integrates country‑wide data analysis, water‑quality monitoring of spring networks, and detailed mechanistic insights into subsurface flow routing and transit times. The project is closely aligned with forest and drinking water stakeholders and decision‑making authorities; thus, a solid, fundamental understanding of Central European and Swiss forest ecosystems is essential for this role. The doctoral project focuses on assessing the resilience of Swiss drinking water resources to forest changes and management interventions.

As the successful candidate, your work will include:

• National‑Scale Data Integration: Analyzing gradients in forest cover and structure in relation to long‑term drinking water parameters, accounting for hydrogeology and land‑use history.
• Field Monitoring & Sampling: Conducting water‑quality assessments across Swiss‑wide spring networks to identify how management practices influence resilience during event‑driven disturbances.
• Mechanistic Investigations: Monitoring intensively instrumented experimental sites to determine how forest health and structure alter subsurface flow routing and contamination pulses.
• Synthesis & Strategy Development: Developing and evaluating suitable management strategies to reduce drinking water risks.
• Stakeholder Communication: Performing statistical analyses and modeling to translate findings into actionable management recommendations for water abstractions.

The full‑time position is funded for four years. Salary and social benefits are provided according to ETH Zurich rules.

Profile

Upon starting, you must have completed a Master’s degree in hydrology, environmental sciences, forest sciences, ecology, or a closely related field with experience in water chemistry, silviculture, experimental field work and large‑scale data analysis. You must have good statistical skills and programming experience (e.g., in R or Python). Excellent written and spoken English, as well as a driver’s license, are mandatory. Knowledge of German or other Swiss national languages is an asset. Good writing skills and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment are expected.

Workplace and Benefits

• An inspiring, international, and interdisciplinary work environment in a world‑leading research institute.
• Opportunities to collaborate with practitioners and federal/cantonal offices.
• Opportunities to present research at national and international conferences.
• A supportive environment for developing your scientific career.
• Participation in and shaping a dynamic research team with supportive colleagues, fostering collaboration and mutual learning.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art research infrastructure.

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, car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare, and attractive pension benefits.

We value diversity and sustainability

ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture, promotes equality of opportunity, and nurtures a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Sustainability is a core value – we are consistently working towards a climate‑neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• Letter of motivation (max. two pages)
• CV
• Bachelor’s and Master’s certificates with complete transcripts
• List of publications (if available)
• Contact information of two referees

The envisioned starting date is 1 July 2026. The interview process will begin in May 2026. Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

For further information about the WaldLab Ecohydrology and the Silviculture groups, please visit the respective websites. Questions regarding the positions should be directed to Dr. Marius Floriancic and Dr. Mathieu Lévesque by email: and

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