Postdoc Position in Spatial Conservation of Species

Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, is an internationally networked aquatic research institute within the ETH Domain (Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology). Eawag conducts research, education and expert consulting to achieve the dual goals of meeting direct human needs for water and maintaining the function and integrity of aquatic ecosystems.

The Altermatt lab at the Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies (IEU) of University of Zurich and the Department of Aquatic Ecology of Eawag has a vacancy for a

PostDoc position in Spatial Conservation of Species and Biodiversity Scenarios for Switzerland

(3 years)

SPEED2ZERO will focus on connecting disciplines and institutions of the ETH Domain to build a community of experts and stakeholders. The focus is on the areas of net zero greenhouse gas emissions, energy, biodiversity and climate change. SPEED2ZERO will generate crucial scientific insight and develop interactive visualizations, scenarios, toolboxes, action plans, and technology to enable a sustainable transformation to a net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) and biodiversity-positive Switzerland.

Within the work-package led by Prof. Dr Florian Altermatt and Prof. Dr Niklaus Zimmermann, a total of up to five postdocs will synergistically advance models for aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity scenarios in Switzerland, integrating realistic and dynamic climate change and energy transition variables. We will use and improve existing datasets and SDM modelling platforms within the SPEED2ZERO initiative as a springboard to predict biodiversity and biodiversity change at unprecedented scales in a dynamic approach. Specifically, we will address how and where to protect and maintain high biodiversity in Switzerland in context of predicted climate change and with respect to placing renewables and other land-uses. The postdoc will use high-resolution, Swiss-wide, spatial projections of aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity obtained using an empirical SDM approach to run optimization analyses and produce conservation scenarios. There will be a particular interest to finetune the SDM outputs with mechanistic processes; to assess the risks for biodiversity under combined effects of climate and land-use change; and to suggest mitigation measures to maximize conservation of biodiversity. Across the whole initiative, we expect high-level output with respect to scientific findings and society
- and policy-relevant products.

For the project, we offer state-of-the-art infrastructure, access to high-performance computing resources, and a highly interdisciplinary collaborative network including collaboration with the research groups of Prof. Dr Nick Zimmerman (WSL/ETHZ), Prof. Dr Loïc Pellissier (WSL/ETHZ) and Prof. Dr Antoine Guisan (University of Lausanne). The project also fits in the wider range of research conducted in the Altermatt lab.

**We are looking for** applicants who have a PhD in computational Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation Sciences, or any other quantitative science field that enables them to advance and integrate spatially explicit biodiversity models with climate and land-use change models. Previous experience in advanced species distribution modelling, spatial prioritisation and optimization, or biodiversity sciences is expected. Proficiency and independence in processing large arrays of data, quantitative modelling, and using high-performance computing resources (e.g., Slurm/Linux HPC cluster) is a must. Biodiversity models are expected to be aligned with hydrological models and experience in hydrology and hydrological modelling is an asset.

The Altermatt lab has a shared base at University of Zurich and at Eawag. It offers a stimulating and international research environment, excellent research facilities and a lively and social working place. Zurich hosts many other research groups in ecology and biodiversity research, and is among the world’s leading cities in terms of science, culture and quality of life.

**Eawag and University of Zurich** are both committed to promoting diversity and equal opportunities for underrepresented minorities, and to support the compatibility of family and work. Applications from women are especially welcome.