Two doctoral students in ecosystem gas exchange of COS and CO2

The Grassland Sciences group is a vibrant and international working group at the Department of Environmental Systems Science. We are looking for two reliable, enthusiastic and highly motivated students with a passion for science to join our team. Our research focuses on process- and system-understanding of the biosphere-atmosphere greenhouse gas exchange and its drivers in forests and agroecosystems.

Within the COCO project on COS and below-canopy CO2 fluxes of two Swiss forests, the successful candidates will independently validate gross primary production estimates with COS fluxes using the eddy-covariance technique, constrain ecosystem respiration estimates using below-canopy CO2 fluxes and soil respiration measurements, quantify advection of CO2, and identify long-term trends and short-term responses of CO2 fluxes to climate extremes. COCO is carried out at a temperate mixed forest and a subalpine spruce forest, for which 40+ site-years of flux data are available. The focus of each doctoral project will depend on skills and experiences of the candidates. Main tasks include

1. Establishment and maintenance of flux measurements
2. Analysis of additional constrains on partitioned net ecosystem fluxes
3. Vulnerability assessment of two forest sites to climate change
4. Communication of results in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences.

Both positions are funded for 4 years. The successful candidates will encounter an international, interdisciplinary research group in a lively university environment as well as international working experiences. Salary and social benefits are provided according to ETH Zurich rules.

Upon start, applicants must have a completed Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Ecology or a closely related science field, with experiences in micrometeorology, biogeochemistry and/or plant ecophysiology. Applicants must have experience with experimental approaches and fieldwork. Good statistical skills, experience with large data sets, and programming experience (e.g. in R or Python) are beneficial. A good standard of written and spoken English as well as a driver’s license are mandatory. Suitable candidates can ideally start as of 1 March 2021.

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.