Job offer:
PhD student in Sustainable Hydraulic Structures in Torrents 100% (f/m/d)
You will investigate the interaction of bedload and large wood in sediment retention basins (sediment traps). The project aims to develop design recommendations that ensure sediment continuity during small floods, while guaranteeing a safe and robust retention of bedload and wood during large floods and overload scenarios. Your work will include field measurements at selected sediment traps to characterize the flow, bedload, and wood transport processes. In addition, laboratory experiments will be conducted at the Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW), ETH Zurich to study the mechanical retention of wood and sediment at racks, nets, and guiding structures, and the functioning of the complete sediment trap system under various flood scenarios. An important aspect of your work will be to combine field data and laboratory experiments to derive robust and transferable design principles. You will publish your findings in peer-reviewed journals in English and a practice-oriented report in German or French and present them at international scientific conferences in English as well as practitioner meetings in German or French.
For this position, you must hold a master's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering or environmental sciences. You are curious, dedicated and interested in both practical hydraulic engineering issues and detailed sediment and wood transport processes. With your practical commitment, you will be actively involved in laboratory and field work. You must be able communicate fluently in English and have a minimum B2 level of German or French. Basic programming skills (e.g., Python and/or Matlab) are expected. Your workplace and main supervisor will be at the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL in Birmensdorf (approx. 20 min outside of Zurich).
⛰️🪵🌊 #PhDAlert! MSc in #CivilEngineering, #EnvironmentalEngineering or #EnvironmentalSciences? Interested in #HydraulicEngineering, and sediment and wood transport processes? Our Torrents and Mass Movements group offers a #PhD position: apply.refline.ch/273855/1773/... #ScienceJobs