Doctoral student in ecosystem COS exchange

The Grassland Sciences Group is a vibrant and international working group at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich. We are looking for a reliable, enthusiastic, and highly motivated doctoral student with a passion for science to join our team. Our research focuses on the process- and system-understanding of the biosphere- atmosphere greenhouse gas exchange and its drivers in forests and agroecosystems, in response to management and climate.

This position is part of the project Above- and below-canopy COS fluxes to constrain and partition forest CO2 and ET fluxes (ABACOS) funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The aim of this project is to quantify COS (carbonyl sulfide) fluxes at different spatial and temporal scales in a temperate broadleaf forest in Switzerland (Lägeren), using an unprecedented integration of co-located measurements. We will measure above- and below-canopy COS fluxes as well as CO2 and evapotranspiration (ET) fluxes, and quantify contributions of soil, branch, and understory vegetation to ecosystem fluxes. Driver analyses with machine learning approaches will provide detailed insights into the underlying processes. A COS-based estimate of ecosystem gross primary productivity (GPP) will be calculated and compared to other independent estimates. Thus, ABACOS will provide a comprehensive assessment of different GPP constraints and contribute unique COS flux data to the global COS community from a temperate mixed forest, where flux measurements are scarce. The ABACOS team will include a doctoral student (this position), a postdoc (years 3 and 4) and a technician (years 1 to 3).

The doctoral project will focus on COS flux measurements and their use in CO2 flux partitioning in a temperate mixed forest in Switzerland. Your work includes:

• Measurements of eddy-covariance above- and below-canopy COS fluxes as well as CO2 and ET fluxes, supported by technical staff.
• Chamber measurements of branch and soil COS, CO2, and H2O fluxes.
• Quantification of the leaf-scale uptake ratio of COS to CO2.
• Leaf-scale stomatal conductance measurements.
• Assessment of different methods to constrain GPP.
• Statistical analyses, including machine learning approaches.

The full-time position is funded for four years. Salary and social benefits are provided according to ETH Zurich rules.

Upon starting, you must have a completed Master’s degree in atmospheric sciences, environmental sciences, forest sciences, ecology, or a closely related science field with experiences in micrometeorology, biogeochemistry, and/or plant ecophysiology. You must have good statistical skills, experience with fieldwork, and programming experience (e.g., in R or Python). A good standard of written and spoken English as well as a driver’s license are mandatory. Good writing skills and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment are expected.

• Your career with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society.
• We are actively committed to a sustainable and climate-neutral university.
• You can expect numerous benefits, such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare and attractive pension benefits.