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.


Within the framework of recently funded SNF projects (BIOFORMA and MULTIFORDECA) we are offering

2 positions

in the 'Forest Health and Biotic Interactions' Research Unit and its 'Forest Entomology' Group, starting in

early 2026

, for the duration of

2 years

(with option for a 1-2 years extension) as a

PostDoc in "Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in European forests in the face of global changes" 80-100% (f/m/d)

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The aim of the projects is to investigate the impact of global changes on temperate forests toward designing management plans that allows ecosystem resilience and high levels of biodiversity. Within these projects, you will develop standard and more efficient ecological monitoring methodologies to understand how different aspects of biodiversity and/or associated ecosystem processes, in particular deadwood decomposition, in forests are altered by global change factors such as climate change, disturbances, and management-induced structural changes at different spatial and temporal scales. Through this research, you will gain a better mechanistic understanding of these relationships as a basis for predicting future changes related to management decisions and climate change. To measure biodiversity, you will use cutting-edge DNA-based methods, such as e-DNA metabarcoding of fungi, from soil and dead wood, and detecting arthropods and mammals from vegetation surfaces. Data on biodiversity and forest functions will be analyzed in an interdisciplinary manner. Depending on your skills and expertise, you can focus on more technical aspects of biodiversity quantification using eDNA, fundamental ecological research questions on modelling ecosystem processes or the more applied design of management practices. You are expected to publish your findings in high-impact journals and present them at international conferences.
You hold a PhD degree in Biology or Environmental Sciences or in a related field and have a strong background forest ecology, in DNA-based biodiversity assessments (e-DNA metabarcoding), bioinformatics and multivariate statistical analyses, and/or experimental planning. Furthermore, we expect very good knowledge in R programming, a good command of English, as well as strong skills in scientific paper writing. Experience in ecological syntheses is an advantage. You are used to a high standard of independent, structured work. You will be working in an interdisciplinary and international team of scientists, and we therefore expect good communication skills and a willingness to interact. You are ambitious, motivated and you demonstrate a high level of team spirit.

Please send your complete application to Michele Bucher, Human Resources WSL, by uploading the requested documents through our webpage. Applications via email will not be considered. Martin Gossner, martin.gossner(at)wsl.ch will 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.
Zurcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf