Job Description

Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL
The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL focuses on the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on the handling of natural hazards. WSL is part of the ETH Domain and employs approximately 600 people, of whom 10 are based in Lausanne.


The research unit Forest and Soil Ecology investigates the functioning and interactions of vegetation with the environment in natural and urban systems. The Functional Plant Ecology group at the Lausanne site is offering a

2-year

position, starting in

March 2026

, as a

PostDoc in Urban Plant Ecophysiology (f/m/d)

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You will be part of the Horizon Europe project FRAIMwork, which aims to improve green wall installations across Europe. Based at WSL Lausanne, your work will focus on quantifying the carbon sink strength, water-use efficiency, and air-quality impacts of green wall vegetation under contrasting environmental conditions. The objective is to understand how environmental and microclimatic factors, such as light, water availability, and temperature, affect plant functioning, and to provide stakeholders with benchmark data identifying the most resilient and high-performing plant species. Measurements and analyses will be conducted at multiple sites across the EU and integrated with soil-plant-atmosphere modeling to estimate annual carbon and water budgets.
You hold a PhD in plant physiology, urban ecology, or a related field, and possess strong quantitative and scientific writing skills. You demonstrate excellent communication abilities, self-motivation, and an aptitude for field research. A commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary work is essential. Experience with process-based modeling is advantageous. Additionally, you have good written and spoken English skills.

Please send your complete application to Beatrice Lamprecht, Human Resources WSL, by uploading the requested documents through our webpage. Applications via email will not be considered. Dr. Christoph Bachofen, phone +41 (0)21 693 47 31, 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.
Zurcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf