PostDoc in Optical and Microwave Remote Sensing of Forest Water Dynamics

About the role

The Remote Sensing group of the Land Change Science Research Unit at WSL, part of the ETH Domain, is recruiting a PostDoc in Optical and Microwave Remote Sensing of Forest Water Dynamics (80-100%, f/m/d) within the HydraSense research project. The project aims to combine optical and microwave remote sensing to monitor tree water dynamics and detect critical thresholds linked to drought-induced forest mortality. The position starts in February 2027 or by agreement, for 2 years with the possibility of extension.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate approaches for retrieving vegetation water content from optical and microwave observations, including SWIR spectroscopy, multi-frequency (1.4-6.9 GHz) radiometry and GNSS Transmissometry (GNSS-T).
• Contribute to deploying and operating GNSS-T receivers and ground-based microwave radiometers, and to in-situ measurements at the Pfynwald experimental forest site.
• Process, analyse and integrate multi-sensor observations, study their sensitivity to vegetation water content and develop methods to separate water-related signals from structural effects using terrestrial laser scanning data.
• Work with tree hydraulics experts at the PERL Lab of EPFL to relate remote sensing signals to field and laboratory measurements of tree water status and hydraulic vulnerability.
• Publish results in international scientific journals and present them at conferences.

Required profile

• PhD in remote sensing, geophysics, electrical engineering, environmental physics or a related quantitative discipline.
• Strong technical background in optical and/or microwave remote sensing, ideally with experience in spectroscopy, radiometry, electromagnetic modelling or multi-sensor data processing.
• Experience with field instrumentation, sensor calibration or radiative transfer modelling is a strong asset.
• Highly motivated to work at the interface of disciplines, enjoys collaborative research, is willing to take part in intensive field campaigns and shows independence and scientific curiosity.

Required skills

• Scientific programming such as Python or MATLAB
• Quantitative data analysis and development of remote sensing retrieval methods

Applications are submitted through the employer's online form with a motivation letter, CV, doctoral diploma and two reference contacts; applications by email are not accepted.