PhD student in Climate science (100%)

Project description

The 4-year Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) CALISE project aims at enhancing societal resilience to severe weather events by investigating the link between atmospheric electrical activity and severe storms across three distinct latitudes. You will be expected to analyse historical and present meteorological data and to conduct experimental work at the lightning measurement station installed at the Säntis tower in Appenzell, Switzerland. You will be affiliated with the Graduate School of Climate Sciences of the University of Bern, Faculty of Science, under the joint supervision of Prof. Dr. Olivia Romppainen-Martius and Prof. Dr. Davide Pavanello

Your profile

Background

• MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Atmospheric Science or equivalent.
• Strong interest in Atmospheric Science or Meteorology.
• Previous experience in field work (measurement campaigns) is a plus.

IT skills

• Capable of analysing large datasets obtained from remote sensing.
• Experience with time-series analysis, pattern recognition, and machine learning is a plus.
• Coding experience (MATLAB, Python, …).

Communication skills

• Fluent in English. Spanish and/or German are an asset.
• Can communicate complex concepts to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Can write peer-reviewed papers, conference abstracts, and project reports.

Soft skills

• Strong motivation, self-initiative and curiosity, integrity.
• Problem-solving attitude.
• Interdisciplinarity (can work across meteorology, physics, engineering, and social sciences).

What we offer

Top-level academic experience, international team, education, field work, travel.

Employment : 100%

Place of work : Sion

Starting date : 1st January 2026 at latest

Contract duration : 4 years

For further information or informal inquiries please contact Prof. Davide Pavanello at davide.pavanello(a)hevs.ch.

Please submit your complete application documents (CV, motivation letter, diplomas and certificates) by 30 September 2025 by clicking on the Apply button. Only online applications will be considered.

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