Two PhD student positions in Long-Term Forest Dynamics at ETH Zurich

The Forest Ecology Group at ETH Zurich is a dynamic interdisciplinary research team that examines both theoretical and applied questions in forest ecology using a combination of empirical and modeling techniques. The overarching aim of the group is to further our understanding of the structure and function of forest ecosystems, with a particular focus on mountain areas such as the European Alps. We offer world-class facilities in a relaxing work atmosphere with ample opportunities for collaboration within and beyond our group.

Project background
Forest management is facing multiple challenges in the era of global change. Among others, the de-carbonization of society is likely to lead to a higher demand for forest products, thus rendering adaptive, sustainable resource management an imperative. In the long term, maximum sustainable yield is strongly related to carbon and nutrient cycling and thus soil conditions and their changes. In the context of a project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, we investigate the long-term dynamics of managed forests using dynamic models, emphasizing (1) the structural uncertainty in model formulations and (2) the further development of the belowground components of a stand-scale model, i.e. water and carbon/nutrient cycling.

PhD Student A will focus on the formulation of bioclimatic influences on forest dynamics, alternative formulations of soil water dynamics and particularly the representation of drought effects on tree establishment, growth and competition; also, the possible direct effects of soil moisture and drought trajectories on mortality will be investigated. This work will be conducted in close collaboration with scientists from the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL).

PhD Student B will focus on a new soil carbon and nutrient turnover model that will be adapted based on existing models from the literature, to be complemented by novel components to rectify deficiencies of existing approaches in long-term applications, including weathering and erosion. This work will be conducted in close collaboration with scientists of the Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems at ETH and international partners.

Further details:
Two PhD student positions in Long-Term Forest Dynamics at ETH Zurich