Scientific Assistant in Tree-Ring Ecology 80-100% (f/m/d)
Eidg. Forschungsanstalt WSL
1 day ago
Full-time
On-site
Zürich, ZH
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WSL seeks a motivated Scientific Assistant in Tree-Ring Ecology for an 80-100% one-year onsite role in Zurich/Birmensdorf to support OptFORESTS. You will analyze tree-ring width and density data from garden experiments and help with field campaigns, data preparation and visualization in collaboration with an international team. Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Environmental Sciences or Forest Ecology with hands-on tree-ring or wood anatomy experience and R or Python skills; a careful, independent yet team oriented work style is essential, as is good English. Tips: tailor your CV to dendrochronology projects and datasets, show field readiness and data management; upload all required documents via the WSL portal.
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.
Scientific Assistant in Tree-Ring Ecology 80-100% (f/m/d)
The Research Group Dendrosciences uses tree rings to investigate and understand environmental impacts on tree growth and to reconstruct past environmental changes at scales ranging from minutes to millennia and from cells to ecosystems around the globe. From now on, we offer a 1-year position as a
As part of the EU project OptFORESTS – Harnessing forest genetic resources for increasing options in the face of environmental and societal challenges, you will contribute to advancing research aimed at addressing climate change and natural hazards while maintaining and enhancing forest biodiversity and ecosystem services. Your work will support multiple components of the project, with a particular focus on the analysis of tree-ring width and density data derived from common garden experiments across Europe. You may also contribute to additional quantitative wood-related analyses depending on project needs. In addition, you will support field campaigns, including sampling activities and the maintenance of common garden trials, and will play an important role in the preparation, quality control, and organization organization of project-related datasets and related activities. You will also support exploratory data analysis and visualization in close collaboration with other project scientists. You will join an enthusiastic and collaborative international team working at the interface of dendrochronology, forest genetics, and climate change research. The position is based at WSL within the Dendrosciences group, a globally recognised centre for tree-ring science. Close collaboration with international partners is an integral part of the project.
We are looking for a motivated and reliable person with strong organizational skills and a keen interest in applied forest and climate research. The ideal candidate has recently completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Forest Ecology, or in a related field. Experience or a strong interest in tree-ring analysis, dendrochronology, or wood anatomy is expected, and familiarity with data analysis tools such as R or Python would be an advantage. Knowledge in (forest) genetics could be an asset. You should have a careful, structured, and independent working style, combined with strong team spirit and a willingness to engage in both field and laboratory work as well as data processing. Good command of English, both written and spoken, is of advantage.
Please send your complete application to Stefania Pe, Human Resources WSL, by uploading the requested documents through our webpage. Applications via email will not be considered. Patrick Fonti (phone +41-44-739 22 85, fonti(at)wsl.ch) will be happy to answer any questions or offer further information. WSL is committed to diversity and inclusion as core values. We actively promote gender equality and foster an open, inclusive work environment.