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ETH Zurich is establishing ETH Swiss GeoLab, a new interdisciplinary unit of ETH Zurich | Space, focused on Earth observation and its applications. The GeoLab uses satellite, airborne, ground-based and in-situ observations, applying AI-driven analysis methods and high-performance computing to develop solutions for societal and economic challenges. In its first phase, the GeoLab is concentrating on high-impact application areas where Earth observation, geodata and AI-based analytics can create tangible value for Switzerland, including forestry challenges related to forest health, climate resilience, biodiversity, carbon, timber and ecosystem services, as well as decision support for forest owners, managers and public authorities.

Tasks

  • Spearhead the forestry-focused initiative - the GeoLab Forestry Mission - within GeoLab.
  • Identify high-impact challenges in Swiss forestry through direct interchange with key stakeholders and by drawing on domain-relevant data and expertise.
  • Define ambitious mission outcomes, translate practitioner and policy needs into research and product goals, and drive solutions through field validation, operational testing and adoption.
  • Report to the Managing Director of ETH Swiss GeoLab and work closely with other GeoLab mission teams, the Research Program Support team, the Geo-Intelligence team and external partners.
  • Lead cross-functional and external experts, with authority to prioritise, redirect, and pivot or pause activities within the approved mission charter, budget and governance framework.
  • Define an ambitious and coherent Forestry Mission addressing major opportunities in forest health, resilience, sustainable management, biodiversity, carbon and the provision of forest ecosystem services.
  • Identify operational gaps where ETH Swiss GeoLab can create distinctive value for Swiss forestry and forest policy.
  • Engage directly with forest owners and managers, forestry enterprises, advisory and professional organisations, cantonal and federal authorities, research institutions, insurers, technology providers, NGOs and industry partners.
  • Identify unmet needs, operational constraints, incentives and economic drivers in forest management, silviculture and monitoring.
  • Translate forestry challenges into clear research, data, product and technical requirements.
  • Assess user value, operational relevance, economic viability, scalability and adoption potential.
  • Establish measurable mission outcomes, roadmaps, assumptions and success criteria aligned with Swiss forestry needs and the overall GeoLab strategy, and actively track progress against these outcomes.
  • Manage the delegated mission budget, define priorities, milestones and decision points, and track finances and results through regular and transparent reporting to GeoLab leadership and other stakeholders.
  • Work with GeoLab’s Geo-Intelligence team and external partners to drive pilots, field validation, operational testing and integration into forestry workflows.
  • Assess evidence and performance, and recommend the continuation, redirection, scaling, pausing or termination of activities.
  • Identify and mobilise strong ETH groups, research institutions, forestry organisations, technology companies, start-ups, service providers, public agencies and implementation partners.
  • Represent ETH Swiss GeoLab across Swiss forestry, scientific, policy and innovation communities.
  • Communicate mission goals, progress, evidence and lessons learned at field events, workshops and conferences.
  • Guide and train students, researchers and external contributors where required and support knowledge transfer into forestry practice.

Requirements

  • Master’s or PhD degree (preferred) in forestry, forest science, natural resource management, environmental sciences, geoinformatics, remote sensing or a related field.
  • Several years of experience in applied research, program delivery or operational implementation in forest management, forest monitoring, advisory services, public administration, consulting, technology development or industry, preferably but not necessarily in Switzerland.
  • Strong expertise and understanding of forest management and planning, forest ecosystems and the information needs of forestry practitioners and public authorities.
  • Sound understanding of the opportunities and limitations of Earth observation, geospatial data and data-driven methods for forestry applications.
  • Proven ability to identify important operational problems and translate them into actionable initiatives.
  • Track record of successful collaboration in diverse teams and demonstrated enthusiasm for conducting and applying research for the benefit of others.
  • Experience in mission-, program- or applied R&D portfolio design.
  • Strong project, portfolio and budget management skills, including use of transparent reporting, dashboard and tracking tools.
  • Excellent stakeholder management skills across practitioners, public authorities, academia, industry and expert communities.
  • Ability to work across disciplinary and organisational boundaries and to lead through influence.
  • Strong judgement under uncertainty and willingness to challenge established approaches constructively.
  • Excellent communication and listening skills, as well as strong presentation skills across different formats and audiences.
  • Excellent written and spoken English and German; French is an asset.
  • Mission-driven, entrepreneurial, a strong learner and comfortable working in a newly established and evolving organisation.
  • Track record of successful team participation and leadership and enthusiasm for demanding and impactful work.
  • Combination of scientific credibility with pragmatic decision-making, economic awareness and a clear focus on adoption, scalability and public value.

Benefits

  • The rare opportunity to help build ETH Swiss GeoLab from its early phase and shape a new national initiative for Earth observation.
  • A mission-driven leadership role with high visibility and strong relevance for Swiss forests and forestry.
  • The opportunity to develop solutions for pressing forest-management and environmental challenges in Switzerland, with broad international impact through transferable methods and lessons learned.
  • A dynamic, interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial environment at one of the world’s leading technical universities.
  • A workplace in Root/Lucerne, embedded in an active innovation ecosystem and closely connected to ETH Zurich.
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Über uns
Die ETH Zürich ist eine technisch-naturwissenschaftliche Hochschule des Bundes mit Sitz in Zürich. Wir betreiben Lehre, Forschung und Wissenstransfer in Bereichen wie Ingenieurwissenschaften, Naturwissenschaften, Architektur, Mathematik, Informatik, Management sowie Sozial- und Geisteswissenschaften. Unsere Ausbildung umfasst Bachelor-, Master-, Doktorats- und Weiterbildungsangebote und ist eng mit internationaler Spitzenforschung verbunden. Als Teil des ETH-Bereichs entwickeln wir wissenschaftliche Grundlagen, Technologien und Lösungen für Gesellschaft, Wirtschaft und globale Herausforderungen.
Das Team

The ETH Swiss GeoLab is led by Prof. Dr. Verena Griess and Prof. Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, with Dr. Felix Seidel as Managing Director. The GeoLab will grow into a project-based hub of around 100 experts and collaborates closely with other ETH units, the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS), Swiss research institutions, public-sector stakeholders, forest owners and managers, forestry organisations, industry partners, start-ups and international stakeholders.

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