PhD Position in Forest Ecophysiology and Remote Sensing

Mission

We are offering a full-time (100%) PhD position at ENAC at EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, within the Plant Ecology Research Laboratory (PERL): https://www.epfl.ch/labs/perl/ 

The PhD project will investigate how forest canopy temperature and spectral properties reflect tree physiological responses to increasing atmospheric drought and soil water limitation. The overarching objective is to understand how forests regulate canopy temperature and water use under drought and to use thermal and spectral signals to map forest vulnerability from individual trees to large spatial scales.

The project will combine plant ecophysiology, field experiments, thermal and spectral remote sensing, UAV observations, and satellite data. Initial work will take place at the Pfynwald experimental forest in Switzerland, where ongoing manipulations allow disentangling the effects of vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and soil moisture on mature trees. The project will then expand to a network of forest sites across Europe and ultimately use satellite observations to assess forest sensitivity and vulnerability at continental to global scales.

The successful candidate will be supervised by Prof. Charlotte Grossiord (EPFL) and co-supervised by Dr. Petra D’Odorico (WSL) and Dr. Helena Vallicrosa (WSL).

Main duties and responsibilities

As a PhD student, you will be expected to:
    •    Conduct original doctoral research on forest responses to atmospheric and soil drought, combining ecophysiological and remote-sensing approaches.
    •    Conduct and analyze measurements including sap flow, dendrometer data, leaf water potential, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and thermal responses.
    •    Analyze thermal, RGB and potentially multispectral or hyperspectral imagery collected from fixed cameras and UAVs.
    •    Use satellite and environmental datasets to identify regions where forests are particularly sensitive or vulnerable to atmospheric drought.
    •    Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed scientific publications and conference presentations.
    •    Participate in laboratory activities and, when appropriate, contribute to the supervision of student projects.
    •    Contribute to teaching as part of the PERL group at EPFL

Profile

    •    A MSc degree in ecology, plant biology, environmental sciences, forestry, remote sensing, Earth observation, geography, or a related field
    •    Strong interest in plant and forest responses to drought, heat and climate change
    •    Interest in combining field ecophysiology with remote sensing and large-scale data analysis
    •    Experience with plant physiological measurements, field ecology and/or remote sensing is an asset
    •    Good quantitative and statistical skills
    •    Familiarity with R, Python, GIS, image analysis or remote-sensing software is an asset
    •    Self-motivated, independent and collaborative mindset, with a high level of rigor for academic research
    •    Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken
    •    Willingness to participate in field campaigns in Switzerland and other European forest sites

We do not expect candidates to already be specialists in all components of the project. Candidates with a strong background in either plant ecophysiology or remote sensing and a clear motivation to develop expertise in the complementary field are particularly encouraged to apply.

We offer

    •    A stimulating, interdisciplinary and international research environment
    •    Competitive salary and excellent working conditions, with a 1-year fixed-term contract (CDD), renewable for 3 years (4 years in total) to complete the PhD
    •    Opportunity to conduct state-of-the-art research combining experimental plant ecophysiology, forest ecology and remote sensing
    •    Access to unique experimental forest infrastructure and long-term physiological datasets
    •    Collaboration with researchers at EPFL, WSL and a European network of forest research sites
    •    Opportunities for international collaboration, conference participation and research visits
    •    A collaborative research environment within PERL, with expertise spanning plant ecophysiology, forest drought responses, climate extremes and ecosystem functioning

Informations

The selection process involves multiple stages, and short-listed candidates will be requested to apply to a specific EPFL Doctoral Program to qualify for a PhD at EPFL, i.e. the Doctoral School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (EDCE). Please check this page for additional information on admission. Please note that this is a separate application process necessary to be eligible to complete your PhD at EPFL. The application for the EDCE doctoral school can be conducted after the candidate selection.
Only applications submitted through the online platform will be considered. You are asked to supply:
    •    A cover letter outlining your motivation for the position, your relevant experience, and your interest in the project (PDF, up to 2 pages)
    •    A single PDF containing your Curriculum Vitae, and contact information for 2 referees
 
Application deadline: Running deadline. The position will remain open until filled.
Contract Start Date: April or May, 2027
Activity Rate: 100%
Contract Type: CDD
Duration: 1 year, renewable

Reference: For more information, please contact: Charlotte Grossiord (charlotte.grossiord@epfl.ch), Petra D’Odorico (WSL, petra.dodorico@wsl.ch), or Helena Vallicrosa (WSL, helena.vallicrosa@epfl.ch). Applications sent directly to these email addresses shall not be considered.
 

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