Job Description

Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL
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.


Its Research Unit Economics and Social Sciences addresses social science research topics related to WSL's research areas. For its new research group, it is seeking for

1 July 2026

(or by agreement) a

Group Leader Social-Ecological Transformation 80% (f/m/d)

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You will set up the new research group 'Social-Ecological Transformation' and manage it scientifically and administratively. You will conduct research on social-ecological transformation in relation to WSL core topics and key topics of the WSL Strategy 2035. Depending on the topic, you will work in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary manner with colleagues from the social and natural sciences and from practice. You will use qualitative and quantitative research methods, in particular those suitable for transformation research (e.g. real-world laboratories, visioning). You will acquire research funding, lead research projects and supervise scientific qualification theses. You will publish your research results in scientific journals and implement them in other suitable formats. If you are interested, you can get involved in university teaching.
You have a doctorate in environmental social science (e.g. human geography, transformation research, environmental politics, economics, sociology) and you can refer to a successful career in the field of socio-ecological transformation. This includes the acquisition of research projects, active publication and implementation activities, and the successful management of teams of doctoral and post-doctoral students, including their supervision. You are an integrative and committed personality and are familiar with working with stakeholders in your field of expertise. You have excellent leadership and communication skills. You are fluent in written and spoken German and English and you can communicate well in a second national language.

Please send your complete application to Michele Bucher, Human Resources WSL, by submitting your documents via our application portal. Applications via email will not be considered. Prof. Dr. Irmi Seidl, phone +41 (0)44 739 23 24, will be happy to answer any questions and to provide further information. WSL is committed to diversity and inclusion as core values. We actively promote gender equality and foster an open, inclusive work environment.
Zurcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf