Postdoctoral Position in the Climate Extremes’ Storyline "Heat and Health" ETH Zürich in Switzerland

The NCCR CLIM+ programme at ETH Zurich is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Position in the climate extremes storyline “Heat and Health”. This postdoctoral role sits at the interface of climate science, environmental epidemiology, public health, and policy-relevant interdisciplinary research, with a clear focus on understanding and shaping responses to heat-related climate risks in Switzerland.

NCCR CLIM+ is a new National Center of Competence in Research designed to build a Switzerland-wide, fully interdisciplinary climate research community. The programme addresses urgent climate extremes such as heatwaves, floods, heavy rainfall, droughts, wildfires, and compound events, and works closely with stakeholders from public health, finance, agriculture, and water management to develop actionable adaptation and mitigation solutions. A central feature of the programme is the development of storylines of plausible futures that integrate physical and social dimensions of climate extremes, helping researchers and stakeholders assess co-benefits and trade-offs on the path toward a climate-resilient society.

The postdoctoral fellow will be affiliated with Prof. Sonia Seneviratne at ETH Zurich and will work closely with the groups of Prof. Johanna Ziegel (ETH Zurich) and Prof. Ana Vicedo-Cabrera (University of Bern). The work includes co-developing the “Heat and Health” storyline for Switzerland, integrating research across several NCCR CLIM+ work packages and institutions, conducting interdisciplinary research at the boundary of natural and social sciences, publishing in scientific and applied journals, and helping promote cross-cutting activities and stakeholder engagement across the programme.

This is a strong opportunity for a postdoc interested in a career at the science-policy-society interface. The role involves regular interaction with other storyline postdocs, storyline coordinators, the NCCR CLIM+ Management Center, and public and private stakeholders. The position is funded for 3.5 years, starting 1 November 2026, with one-year contracts and the possibility of renewal.

Applicants should hold a PhD in climate science, environmental science, environmental epidemiology, public health, or a related field. The ideal candidate has experience or strong interest in the relation between heat and health, climate extremes, and society; experience in research coordination, policy development, science integration, or stakeholder engagement is an advantage. Strong English is required, and German and/or French are a major asset. The position also requires the willingness to commute between ETH Zurich, the University of Bern, and other locations as needed.

Applications must be submitted online through the ETH Zurich portal and should include a CV, motivation letter, two references, and a copy of the PhD diploma. Review begins in late July, with first interviews foreseen for 14 August. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.