Within the framework of a
joint initiative, which is funded by the ETH-Domain, the new
Translational Centre Biodiversity Conservation of WSL,
ETH Zürich (D-USYS) and
Eawag will provide conservation professionals (local, regional, and national authorities, planning offices and environmental consultancies, NGOs) with synthesized information on topics relevant to their daily work. To best serve practical conservation management in Switzerland, the Translational Centre Biodiversity Conservation, in close collaboration with stakeholders, will identify salient topics for synthesis. The Centre uses a fully collaborative and translational approach from beginning to end, meaning that all boards and working groups are equally composed of scientists and practitioners and all decisions are taken jointly. The produced synthesis products will be broadly disseminated to conservation managers in Switzerland.
The Translational Centre Biodiversity Conservation is steered by a board of practitioners, scientists, and the Centre Manager, who leads the Centre’s operation. The synthesis work will be carried out in topical working groups equally composed of researchers and practitioners led by three scientists and the Centre Manager. The Centre Manager and the three scientists collaborators, each focusing on a particular field (aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, policy and governance) form a team and closely work together. In addition to office space at their home institutions (WSL, Eawag and ETH Zürich), they will be offered joint working space at Eawag, where they find close interaction with other science-practice initiatives within the ETH-Domain and beyond.
The Translational Centre Biodiversity Conservation is offering four positions: 1 Centre Manager and 3 scientists. We invite applications by interested candidates with a strong interest in collaborative work at the science-practice interface and with a professional background in the areas specified below. All positions are expected to start on 1 May 2023, or as soon as possible therafter. They are offered at an 80%-100% employment for 3 years. Candidates interested in multiple positions can apply for several positions but must cross-reference this in their applications. Details about the Centre Manager and the 3 scientist positions can be found in the respective job descriptions via the links below and questions can be addressed to the respective leaders. WSL, ETH Zürich and Eawag offer unique research and working environments, are committed to promoting equal opportunities and support the compatibility of family and work.
Cluster hire for a Centre Manager and 3 scientist positions to work on the science-practice interface at the Translational Centre Biodiversity Conservation
Centre Manager The Centre Manager of the Translational Centre Biodiversity Conservation, at the level of a scientists, manages the Centre on a day-to-day basis together with the Centre’s board. She/he is responsible for joint activities, reporting and the Centre’s webpage. Apart from these administrative duties, the Centre Manager also takes an active part in the topical working groups. She/he will lead - together with a member of the Centre’s board - working groups that develop synthesis products and disseminate them actively to conservation management in Switzerland. In particular, the Centre Manager will, in close collaboration with the Policy and Governance scientist, engage in stakeholder mapping, set up and carry out surveys with Swiss stakeholders to identify the most relevant topics for synthesis and will finally assess the uptake of the synthesis products in conservation practice. She/he will also be involved in activities and publications concerning the whole Centre. A PhD degree in a relevant field or an MSc degree with professional experience and further education in nature conservation are needed for this position. Good administrative and management skills, interest to work at the science-practice interface, good knowledge of biodiversity conservation and its implementation in practice and/or of social sciences methods and approaches, ability to work in a team and strong writing and communication capabilities are needed for the position of Centre Manager. Good knowledge of at least one of the national languages of Switzerland and of English are mandatory.
Lead: Rolf Holderegger (WSL)
Scientist focusing on terrestrial ecosystems
This position of the Translational Centre Biodiversity Conservation will focus on synthesis products in the realm of terrestrial ecosystems (reserves, agriculture, forest) in Switzerland. The scientist will lead - together with a member of the Centre’s board - working groups that develop synthesis products and disseminate them actively to conservation stakeholders. The topics for synthesis will be identified by a stakeholder survey on pressing needs in practical conservation management at the onset of the Centre’s work. She/he will also be involved in activities and publications concerning the whole Centre.
Good management skills, interest to work at the science-practice interface, good knowledge on terrestrial biodiversity conservation and its implementation in practice, ability to work in a team and strong writing and communication capabilities are needed for this position. Good knowledge of at least one of the national languages of Switzerland and of English are mandatory.
Lead: Alex Widmer (ETH Zürich D-USYS)
For more information on the position and for application see: https://www.jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG_ethz_s0ssvqv3HkUA0RFMmO Scientist focusing on aquatic ecosystems
This position of the Translational Centre Biodiversity Conservation will focus on synthesis products in the realm of aquatic, riparian, and blue infrastructure ecosystems in Switzerland. The scientist will lead - together with a member of the Centre’s board - working groups that develop synthesis products and disseminate them actively to conservation stakeholders. The topics for synthesis will be identified by a stakeholder survey on pressing needs in practical conservation management at the onset of the Centre’s work. She/he will also be involved in activities and publications concerning the whole Centre.
Good management skills, interest to work at the science-practice interface, good knowledge on aquatic and riparian biodiversity conservation and its implementation in practice, ability to work in a team and strong writing and communication capabilities are needed for this position. Good knowledge of at least one of the national languages of Switzerland and of English are mandatory.
Lead: Christoph Vorburger (Eawag)
For more information on the position and for application see: https://apply.refline.ch/673277/1024/pub/en/index.html
Scientist focusing on policy and governanceThis position of the Translational Centre Biodiversity Conservation will focus on synthesis products in the realm of policy, decision making and governance in Switzerland. The scientist will lead - together with the Centre Manager – the stakeholder mapping and identification process as well as help conducting a stakeholder survey to identify the pressing needs in Swiss conservation management at the onset of the Centre’s work. In addition, she/he – together with a member of the Centre’s board – will lead topical working groups that develop synthesis products and disseminate them actively to conservation management in Switzerland. She/he will also be involved in activities and publications concerning the whole Centre.
Good management skills, interest to work at the science-practice interface, good knowledge of quantitative and qualitative social science methods as well as on aspects of biodiversity conservation, ability to work in a team and strong writing and communication capabilities are needed for this position. Good knowledge of at least one of the national languages of Switzerland and of English are mandatory.
Lead: Eva Lieberherr (ETH Zürich D-USYS)
For more information on the position and for application see: https://www.jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG_ethz_XBoB6pveB0B5RGCPkH