PhD Position in Modeling of water storage at WSL & Eawag Switzerland (2026) Fully Funded

The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL and Eawag – Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology are offering a fully funded PhD position in :

"Modeling of Water Storage in the Landscape for Demand-Oriented Multi-Purpose Use"

This interdisciplinary PhD project is ideal for students interested in:

• hydrology,
• environmental science,
• climate change adaptation,
• water resource management,
• geostatistics,
• and environmental modelling.

The position will begin in Summer/Fall 2026 and is connected to a collaborative Swiss initiative on integrated water management.

About the Institutions

Both WSL and Eawag are internationally recognized research institutes within the prestigious ETH Domain. The institutions focus on:

• sustainable environmental management,
• aquatic ecosystem protection,
• climate resilience,
• natural hazards,
• and applied environmental research.

The project is also conducted in collaboration with Agroscope.

About the Research Initiative

The PhD is part of a joint initiative titled: “Integrated Water Management: Synergies between Flood Protection, Irrigation, and Biodiversity”

The project focuses on:

• floodwater retention,
• drought mitigation,
• sustainable irrigation,
• biodiversity conservation,
• and landscape-scale water storage solutions.

Researchers will investigate how nature-based water retention systems can improve both flood protection and water availability during drought periods.

Position Details

Feature	Details
Position	PhD Student – Hydrological Modeling
Institutions	WSL, Eawag & Agroscope
Location	Switzerland
Main Workplaces	Birmensdorf & Dübendorf
Affiliated University	University of Basel
Starting Period	Summer/Fall 2026
Funding	Fully Funded
Research Area	Hydrology & Water Management

Research Responsibilities

The selected PhD student will work on advanced hydrological modelling and integrated water management strategies. Key responsibilities include:

1. Hydrological Modeling

You will operate different hydrological models to study:

• water retention,
• floodwater storage,
• drought mitigation,
• and landscape-scale hydrological processes.

Research will be conducted at the Swiss national scale, and in targeted river valleys in the Canton of Aargau.

2. Nature-Based Water Retention Solutions

• The project explores:
• landscape-based flood mitigation,
• natural water retention systems,
• and sustainable water supply strategies during droughts.

3. Stakeholder Interaction

The PhD includes collaboration with:

• farmers,
• local authorities,
• and regional stakeholders.

You will help identify practical water management needs and improve decision-making confidence for climate adaptation strategies.

4. Scientific Publications

• Researchers are expected to:
• publish findings in scientific journals,
• contribute to interdisciplinary collaborations,
• and present research outcomes.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should have:

• A Master’s degree from a technical university
• Background in Environmental Sciences, Earth Sciences, Applied Mathematics, or related fields

Required Technical Skills

Strong experience in:

• hydrological research,
• conceptual or physical models,
• statistical analysis,
• geostatistics,
• time series analysis,
• and large environmental datasets.
• Programming skills in R, and/or Python are essential.

Additional Requirements

Applicants should also have:

1. Strong motivation for climate and water research
2. Scientific writing experience (preferred)
3. Excellent English communication skills
4. German language proficiency (mandatory for stakeholder interaction)
5. Valid driving licence

The German requirement is important because this project involves direct communication with local stakeholders in Switzerland.

Why This PhD Is Highly Valuable

This project addresses one of Europe’s most important environmental challenges - climate-driven water management.

The research combines:

• hydrology,
• climate adaptation,
• flood protection,
• biodiversity conservation,
• and stakeholder-based environmental planning.

Researchers trained in integrated water management are increasingly in demand internationally.

Research Environment

The PhD offers:

• interdisciplinary supervision,
• collaboration across leading Swiss institutes,
• advanced hydrological research infrastructure,
• and strong international networking opportunities.

The thesis will also be affiliated with the University of Basel.

Diversity and Inclusion

Both WSL and Eawag strongly promote diversity, gender equality, and inclusive scientific work environments.

Application Process

Applicants should submit:

1. Motivation letter
2. CV
3. MSc/BSc diplomas
4. Two reference contacts

Important: Applications via email will NOT be considered.

Application evaluation begins: 30 May 2026

Early applications are strongly recommended.

Contact Information

For questions regarding the position:

Dr. Massimiliano Zappa: +41 44 739 2433

Prof. Dr. Oliver Schilling:  +41 58 765 5931

Official Application Link

Apply here: PhD Position at WSL & Eawag Switzerland: Water Storage modelling

Final Thoughts

This is an outstanding PhD opportunity for students interested in:

• hydrology,
• climate adaptation,
• environmental modelling,
• flood and drought management,
• and sustainable water systems.

Candidates with strong quantitative and hydrological modelling backgrounds will be especially competitive.

Because Swiss environmental research positions are highly selective, applicants should prepare a technically strong and research-focused application tailored specifically to integrated water management and climate resilience.