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 Land Change Science research unit studies patterns and processes of land systems and their dynamics over various spatial and temporal scales. Within the FOEN funded «Habitat Map of Switzerland» project the Remote Sensing group is offering a 2-year position as a

You will map Swiss-wide distribution of habitat types and ecological communities from remote sensing data. You will incorporate field survey data, remote sensing and other auxiliary data into spatial modelling processes using techniques such as species distribution modelling and artificial intelligence methods for image classification including machine learning and deep learning. You will develop clear workflows that allow for regular update of the derived models and maps. Furthermore, you will work closely in collaboration with a small team to integrate distribution models into an overall habitat map for Switzerland and to jointly publish results.

You have a Ph.D. in environmental science, remote sensing, computer vision or an equivalent field. You have experience in spatial modelling of habitats with machine learning and the use of large extent Earth Observation data. Experience in artificial intelligence methods for image classification is an advantage (e.g. CNN). Sound ecological knowledge of community and habitat characteristics in Switzerland is an advantage. You work comfortably with statistical computing and scripting languages (e.g. R, Python). You are highly motivated to analyse data using sophisticated methods and tools. Good communication and organisation skills, an excellent team spirit and fluency in English are fundamental, very good knowledge of German or French is an advantage.