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Charlotte Grossiord
Top university
6 days ago
PhD Position in Forest Ecophysiology and Remote Sensing EPFL in Switzerland
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Environmental Science
Funding
Competitive salary; full-time PhD position; 1-year fixed-term contract (CDD) renewable for 3 years, 4 years in total to complete the PhD.
Deadline
Dec 31, 2027
Country
Switzerland
University
EPFL
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Keywords
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About this position
This PhD project at EPFL’s Plant Ecology Research Laboratory (PERL) examines how forest canopy temperature and spectral properties track tree physiological responses to increasing atmospheric drought and soil water limitation. The research aims to understand how forests regulate canopy temperature and water use under drought stress and to develop approaches for mapping forest vulnerability from individual trees to large spatial scales.
The work is highly interdisciplinary, combining plant ecophysiology with thermal and spectral remote sensing, UAV observations, and satellite data. A central field site is the Pfynwald experimental forest in Switzerland, where ongoing manipulations make it possible to separate the effects of vapor pressure deficit and soil moisture on mature trees. From there, the project expands to a network of forest sites across Europe and then to continent-scale and global analyses using satellite observations.
The student will work on original doctoral research within a collaborative environment spanning EPFL, WSL, and a broader European network of forest research sites. The project includes measurements of sap flow, dendrometers, leaf water potential, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and thermal responses, as well as analysis of RGB, multispectral, hyperspectral, and other imagery from fixed cameras and UAVs. The research environment is described as stimulating, interdisciplinary, international, and strongly connected to long-term ecological infrastructure and physiological datasets.
Supervision is provided by Prof. Charlotte Grossiord at EPFL, with co-supervision by Dr. Petra D’Odorico and Dr. Helena Vallicrosa from WSL.
Funding details
Competitive salary; full-time PhD position; 1-year fixed-term contract (CDD) renewable for 3 years, 4 years in total to complete the PhD.
What's required
Applicants should have a MSc degree in ecology, plant biology, environmental sciences, forestry, remote sensing, Earth observation, geography, or a related field. They should have a strong interest in plant and forest responses to drought, heat and climate change, and 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 are required, and familiarity with R, Python, GIS, image analysis or remote-sensing software is an asset. Candidates should be self-motivated, independent and collaborative, have high rigor for academic research, communicate excellently in English, and be willing to participate in field campaigns in Switzerland and other European forest sites.
How to apply
Apply through the online platform only. Submit a cover letter (up to 2 pages) describing your motivation, relevant experience, and interest in the project, plus a single PDF with your CV and contact details for 2 referees. Short-listed candidates will later be asked to apply to the EPFL Doctoral School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (EDCE) as a separate step.
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Professors
Prof. at EPFL
Switzerland
Research Interests
Remote Sensing
Biology
Earth Science
Geography
Thermal Imaging
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.