Introduction
UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.
Presentation
The Hydrology group at the University of Lausanne (Principal Investigator: Prof. Paolo Benettin) is seeking candidates for a fully-funded Ph.D. position in the topic of Ecohydrology. The position aims to better understand the interactions between water and vegetation (see Fatichi et al. 2015), especially using tracers like the water stable isotopes (see Penna et al., 2018). The initial topic of this position will be understanding how vegetation (in particular grape vines) is able to use old/deep water stored in the soil during periods of water stress. Possible additional topics include: monitoring and modeling urban vegetation dynamics; modeling water circulation in forested/agricultural landscapes; quantifying water transit times within a tree, from roots to leaves.
The initial phase of the Ph.D. will focus on the topics proposed by the supervisor. Then, the candidate will be supported by the team in formulating their own project, with the goal of cultivating independent research skills. The candidate is welcome to bring their own ideas. This position involves data analysis (50%), and then a flexible ratio of modeling and/or fieldwork.
Job information
Expected start date in position : 01.02.2024/ to be agreed
Contract length : 1 year, renewable 2 x 2 years, maximum 5 years
Activity rate : 80%
Workplace : Lausanne Mouline (Geopolis building)
Your responsibilities
- Conduct independent, innovative, and responsible research
- Disseminate results through scientific publications and conferences
- Openly discuss research obstacles and seek advice/help in the group
- Make your research workflow (data, code… ) open and reproducible
- Lead or contribute to experimental (field/lab) work
- 1-2 semester(s) of teaching assistantship in hydrology classes for environmental science students (no more than 5 hours/week including preparation)
- Actively participate in creating a collaborative and inclusive culture
Your qualifications
- Master’s degree in environmental science/engineering, geochemistry, soil physics or closely related disciplines.
- Some experience with applied mathematics (for example, statistics, differential equations)
- Some experience with programming (for example, in Python/R/Matlab)
- Some experience with field work and experimental data collection
- Enthusiasm for environmental research
What the position offers you
We offer a nice working place in a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment. Opportunities for professional training, a lot of activities and other benefits to discover.
Contact for further information
Prof. Paolo Benettin
paolo.benettin@unil.ch
Your application
Deadline : 02.11.2023
Please, send your full application in Word or PDF including
- Short Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages)
- Copy of all university degree certificates and transcripts
- Names, affiliations, and email addresses of at least 2 references (e.g. Master thesis advisor, academic staff who have read your work, previous employers)
- Copy of one first-author research report (can be a manuscript, a thesis, or a class paper)
- Personal Statement (max 2 pages), including: A ~250-word description of a possible PhD project related to the position’s general topic ; Description of the methods you feel more comfortable with and why (e.g. numerical modeling, sensor deployment, sample collection, lab analysis, statistics, spatial analyses, programming, etc.) ; Your professional goals, and how this position might further them
Only applications through this website will be taken into account.
We thank you for your understanding.
Additional information
UNIL is committed to equal opportunities and diversity.
www.unil.ch/egalite
UNIL supports early career researchers.
www.unil.ch/graduatecampus
