PhD student on Turbulence Assessment in Lake Surface with LéXPLORE

Eawag seeks a PhD student to investigate hourly turbulence evolution in Lake Geneva's surface layers using advanced profiling instruments and data analysis.

This position focuses on addressing current knowledge gaps regarding the hour-by-hour development of turbulence within lake surface layers. The successful candidate will utilize microstructure profilers and moored instruments to examine how atmospheric conditions influence surface layer structures, while also analyzing energy pathways and heat budgets.

Responsibilities

• Perform field measurements on Lake Geneva at the LéXPLORE platform using microstructure profilers and moored instruments.
• Process high-frequency data to characterize turbulence dynamics within lake surface layers.
• Study energy pathways and heat budgets in the surface layer.
• Create and improve methods for the continuous monitoring of surface turbulence.
• Add data to a FAIR-compliant open-access database utilized by the global scientific community.

Requirements

• Hold a master's degree in physics, physical oceanography, mechanical engineering, environmental science, applied mathematics, or computer science with outstanding academic performance.

Nice to have

• A strong interest in complex fluid dynamics and turbulence.
• Desire to connect theoretical concepts with high-frequency field observations.
• Strong collaborative mindset and teamwork abilities.

What the company offers

• Gain technical expertise through the use of cutting-edge profiling technology and advanced data analysis techniques.
• Join the Aquatic Physics group at Eawag Kastanienbaum and collaborate with the University of Lausanne.
• Contribute to open science by feeding research into a FAIR-compliant open-access database used by scientists worldwide.

About the company

Eawag is an internationally networked aquatic research institute within the ETH Domain. The institute conducts research, education and expert consulting to meet direct human needs for water and maintain the function and integrity of aquatic ecosystems. The company promotes genuine participation, exchange, and mutual understanding. The company creates structures that enable the compatibility of work and other areas of life, such as care work.

• Eawag is an internationally networked aquatic research institute within the ETH Domain.
• The institute conducts research, education and expert consulting to meet direct human needs for water and maintain the function and integrity of aquatic ecosystems.
• The company promotes genuine participation, exchange, and mutual understanding.
• The company creates structures that enable the compatibility of work and other areas of life, such as care work.