PhD - decision support for water management in agriculture

Zurich | 100-100%

What you can contribute

• Development of model-based decision support tools for different actors
• Agro-hydrological modeling (at regional and plot scale)
• Presentation and publication of project content and results adapted to target audiences
• Co-creation and communication with project partners and stakeholders

What makes you unique

• University degree (MSc) in agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, geography or a similar field)
• Experience with plant growth models, soil water balance models, hydrological models
• Very good knowledge of scripting languages (Python, R)
• Very good analytical and communication skills
• Autonomous, goal-oriented, and solution-seeking way of working
• Knowledge of two official languages and English

In a few words

The summer of 2026 showed the full importance of water resources for agriculture in Switzerland, as well as the conflicts that can arise from its use. As part of this doctoral thesis, you will be able to, with us and our project partners, contribute decisively to making water management in Swiss agriculture more sustainable and adapted to future challenges. The thesis is part of the resource project <<Integrated water resource management in the canton of Thurgau>>.

What we offer

• Working for Switzerland We are committed to the success of the Swiss model and the well-being of the population.
• Diversity in everyday life We ensure equal opportunities, which allows us to deploy our skills and express different points of view.
• Health at work We assist and advise our employees on all questions related to physical or mental health.

All benefits (https://www.stelle.admin.ch/stelle/fr/home/bundesverwaltung/ihre-vorteile-auf-einen-blick.html)

A healthy diet, a healthy environment

Agroscope is the Confederation's competence center for research in the fields of agriculture and the food industry. Researchers carry out their activities at various sites in Switzerland. The main headquarters is located in Berne-Liebefeld (from 2026: Posieux FR). Agroscope is attached to the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER.

Additional information

The Water Protection and substance flows research group conducts research in the field of management, flows and dynamics of nutrients in agroecosystems and the environment and networks current knowledge for the attention of extension services and policy makers. The Earth Observation team that is part of it develops spatial and non-destructive methods in the context of remote sensing to support these tasks as well as other Agroscope tasks in the future.

Questions about the position

Annelie Holzkaemper
Water Protection team leader
+41 58 46 87516

Questions about the application

Raphaël Brandt
+41 58 46 37782