Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, is an internationally networked aquatic research institute within the ETH Domain (Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology). Eawag conducts research, education and expert consulting to achieve the dual goals of meeting direct human needs for water and maintaining the function and integrity of aquatic ecosystems.

The “Multifunctional Blue-Green Design” lab at Eawag invites applications for a

Research assistant in Urban Climate Downscaling (m/f/d)

Output from climate models is needed as input for engineering models for climate change adaptation and impacts modelling. However, these outputs still need to be bias-corrected and downscaled to be useful. Specifically for microclimate models, several output variables are needed that must correlate with each other, including temperature, rainfall, wind, solar radiation, etc. In this research project, you will be responsible for accessing outputs from an ensemble of convective permitting climate models and statistically downscaling these outputs for several locations in Switzerland. The resulting time series would later be used as future scenarios for hydrologic and microclimate simulation models. 

The selected candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary consortium of researchers in the fields of urban water management, urban climate, and urban biodiversity. The candidate will have the opportunity to exchange with the PhD student also working on this project. The position is available for one year and should start as soon as possible. The position is based in Dübendorf (near Zurich) in the group of Dr. Lauren Cook in the Urban Water Management Department at Eawag. 

To apply, you must have completed (or be in the process of completing) a MSc in Atmospheric Science, Statistics, Machine Learning, or a related field. Candidates with PhDs will be considered but can only be employed at 80%. The ideal candidate has experience working with climate models or climate data, command line, and supercomputers, as well as a strong background in statistics. 

Eawag is a modern employer and offers an excellent working environment where staff can contribute their strengths, experiences, and ways of thinking. We promote gender equality and are committed to staff diversity and inclusion. The compatibility of career and family is of central importance to us. For more information about Eawag and our work conditions please consult www.eawag.ch and www.eawag.ch/en/aboutus/working/employment. In addition, Zurich hosts many research groups in engineering, climate science, and advanced statistics, and is among the world’s leading cities in terms of science, culture, and quality of life. 

For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Lauren M. Cook, by email lauren.cook@eawag.ch or phone +41 58 765 5474 

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Early applications will get priority. Applications should include a cover letter, CV, and the names and contact details of two academic references. In your cover letter, please explain your experience working with climate data and statistical models, if applicable. 

We look forward to receiving your application through this webpage. Any other way of applying will not be considered. Please click on the button below, this will take you directly to the application form.
Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology