[Hiring] PostDoc in Optical and Microwave Remote Sensing of Forest Water Dynamics @Eidg. Forschungsanstalt WSL

Role Description

The Remote Sensing group of the Land Change Science Research Unit at WSL is looking for a PostDoc in Optical and Microwave Remote Sensing of Forest Water Dynamics 80-100% (f/m/d) for the HydraSense research project, starting from February 2027 or by agreement, for a duration of 2 years (with the possibility of extension).

Climate-induced drought is increasingly threatening forest ecosystems, creating an urgent need for remote sensing approaches that can detect critical changes in tree water status and predict forest mortality. The HydraSense project aims to:

• Develop novel approaches combining optical and microwave remote sensing to monitor tree water dynamics.
• Detect critical thresholds associated with drought-induced mortality.

You will:

• Develop and evaluate approaches for retrieving vegetation water content from optical and microwave observations, including:
• SWIR spectroscopy
• Multi-frequency (1.4-6.9 GHz) radiometry
• Global Navigation Satellite System Transmissometry (GNSS-T)
• Contribute to the deployment and operation of GNSS-T receivers and ground-based microwave radiometers.
• Perform in-situ measurements at the Pfynwald experimental forest site in Switzerland.
• Process, analyze, and integrate multi-sensor observations.
• Investigate sensitivity to vegetation water content.
• Develop methods to disentangle water-related signals from structural effects using terrestrial laser scanning data.
• Work closely with experts in tree hydraulics at the PERL Lab of EPFL, led by Prof Charlotte Grossiord.
• Relate remotely sensed signals to field and laboratory measurements of tree water status and hydraulic vulnerability.
• Publish results in international scientific journals and present them at scientific conferences.

Qualifications

• PhD in remote sensing, geophysics, electrical engineering, environmental physics, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Strong technical background in optical and/or microwave remote sensing.
• Experience in spectroscopy, radiometry, electromagnetic modelling, or processing and interpretation of multi-sensor observations.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (e.g., Python or MATLAB) and quantitative data analysis.
• Development of remote sensing retrieval methods is essential.
• Experience with field-based instrumentation, sensor calibration, or radiative transfer modelling is a strong asset.

Requirements

• Highly motivated to work at the interface of disciplines.
• Ability to apply technical expertise to questions in forest ecology and plant water relations.
• Enjoy collaborative research and participate in intensive field measurement campaigns.
• Demonstrate a high degree of independence, initiative, and scientific curiosity.

Benefits

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge research in remote sensing and forest ecology.
• Collaborative environment with experts in various fields.
• Possibility of extension beyond the initial 2-year contract.

Company Description

The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL is part of the ETH Domain. Approximately 600 people work on the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on the handling of natural hazards.

WSL is committed to diversity and inclusion as core values. We actively promote gender equality and foster an open, inclusive work environment.