Overview
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.
The Research Unit Mountain Hydrology and Mass Movements investigates water resources and natural hazard processes such as floods, droughts, and mass movements in mountainous regions and torrential catchments. The Torrents and Mass Movements group is looking for a candidate to start in December 2025 or by agreement as a
PhD position
PhD student in Sustainable Hydraulic Structures in Torrents (f/m/d)
Responsibilities
* Investigate the interaction of bedload and large wood in sediment retention basins (sediment traps).
* Develop design recommendations that ensure sediment continuity during small floods while safely and robustly retaining bedload and wood during large floods and overload scenarios.
* Carry out field measurements at selected sediment traps to characterize flow, bedload, and wood transport processes.
* Conduct laboratory experiments at the Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW), ETH Zurich, to study mechanical retention of wood and sediment at racks, nets, and guiding structures, and to test the functioning of the complete sediment trap system under various flood scenarios.
* Combine field data and laboratory experiments to derive robust and transferable design principles.
* Publish findings in peer‑reviewed journals in English and in a practice‑oriented report in German or French; present at international scientific conferences in English and practitioner meetings in German or French.
Qualifications
* You hold a master’s degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or a similar field of engineering.
* You are curious, dedicated and interested in both practical hydraulic engineering issues and detailed sediment and wood transport processes.
* You will be actively involved in laboratory and field work and communicate fluently in English; a minimum of B2 level in German or French is required.
* Basic programming skills (e.g., Python and/or Matlab) are expected.
* Your workplace and main supervisor will be at the WSL in Birmensdorf (approx. 20 minutes outside of Zurich). At the same time, you will be enrolled as a doctoral student at ETH Zurich (Chair of hydraulic engineering, Prof. Robert Boes) and closely collaborate with the River Engineering group at the Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW).
Workplace & Collaboration
Workplace: WSL, Birmensdorf. Enrollment as a doctoral student at ETH Zurich with collaboration with the River Engineering group at VAW.
Application process
Please send your complete application consisting of a motivation letter, CV, 2 references, and existing diplomas to Beatrice Lamprecht, Human Resources WSL, by uploading the requested documents through our webpage. Applications via email will not be considered. For questions or additional information, contact Dr Isabella Schalko (isabella.schalko@wsl.ch).
WSL is committed to diversity and inclusion as core values. We actively promote gender equality and foster an open, inclusive work environment.
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