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.
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 1 September 2025, we offer a 4-months position as a
Post-doc in wood formation 80-100% (f/m/d)
You will join a project co-led by the Dendrosciences group at WSL in Birmensdorf and the Remote Sensing group at EURAC in Bolzano (South Tyrol), focusing on the analysis and publication of wood formation data (microcoring and dendrometer) and tree-ring cell anatomical data collected from elevational monitoring transects in the Lötschental and Mazia valleys. These datasets are crucial for understanding the mechanisms behind intra-annual tree-ring responses to climate change. The project aims to quantify water- and carbon-related growth responses along elevation gradients and across contrasting climatic years. Your main task will be to analyse the data and prepare a scientific publication detailing these climate-related responses.
You have a PhD degree in Environmental Science, and preferably have proven expertise in xylogenesis, dendrometer and cell anatomical data analysis with R, and proven ability to publish in scientific journals. You have a flair for handling big data and for programming. You can efficiently expand and acquire knowledge in topics relevant to the project. You have a proficient command of spoken English, can work in a structured and independent manner, possess a high level of team spirit, and have excellent communication skills. You will be part of an enthusiastic and ambitious team that includes leading researchers in dendrochronology and in environmental data management. The position is based at WSL within the Dendrosciences group, a globally recognised centre for tree-ring science. Collaboration with international researchers from related institutions is also expected.
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 (fonti@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.