The WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF is part of the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL and thus of the ETH Domain. WSL focuses on the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on the handling of natural hazards. WSL employs approximately 600 people, of whom 140 work at SLF in Davos.
The Research Group Snow Hydrology investigates the dynamics of snow water resources and snowmelt in alpine watersheds. The team is offering two PhD positions within the SNF Project ”The microclimate of glacierized areas” starting on April 2024 and is therefore looking for a
PhD student in Snow Hydrology “Microclimates of glaciers under climate change” 80-100% (f/m/d)
Your research will focus on understanding how climate change affects the small-scale climate on and around alpine glaciers, and how this, in turn, impacts the historical and future mass balance of glaciers. You will explore the intricate connections between the glacier’s surface changes and the glacier’s atmospheric boundary layer processes that interact with the local climate. To that end, you will be responsible for further developing and applying a Snow-Glacier-Atmosphere model to study snow-related processes on glaciers and to improve our understanding of how glaciers interact with the atmosphere. Likewise, you will apply the Snow-Glacier-Atmosphere model to study how climate change may impact these interactions. You will publish your results in scientific journals and present them at international conferences.
You hold a master’s degree in environmental physics, atmospheric sciences, or a similar field. Expertise in the use of numerical models (spatially distributed atmospheric and/or snow models) is desirable but not a mandatory requirement. You have good oral and written communication skills in English. You are well organized and operate independently in a structured and efficient way. Furthermore, you appreciate working as part of a motivated, interdisciplinary team that operates at the interface between science and practice.
Please send your complete application to Clemens Güdel, Human Resources SLF, by submitting the requested documents via our application portal. Applications sent by e-mail or by post will not be considered. Rebecca Mott, project manager, e-mail mott[at]slf.ch, will happily answer any questions or offer further information. WSL aims to increase the proportion of women, so qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
