PhD Position: Machine Learning for Sustainable Grassland Management

Overview

Agroscope, 80‑100%, 8046 Zürich (and working from home)

Responsibilities

• Develop novel approaches to improve the understanding and sustainable management of grassland systems at the landscape scale
• Analyze remote sensing data (satellite data, time series) using machine learning methods
• Integrate remote sensing and environmental data to assess the impacts of climate and land‑use change on grassland systems in Switzerland
• Prepare scientific publications and present results at (inter)national conferences
• Contribute to the development of the Swiss platform for Earth observation and analysis of agroecosystems

Qualifications

• University degree (Master's or equivalent) in Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Geography, Remote Sensing, Environmental Systems Science, or a related field
• Very good programming skills (ideally in Python) and demonstrated experience in machine learning
• Big interest in applied research questions in agriculture, ecophysiology, or geography
• Solution‑oriented, self‑motivated, and well‑organized working style, with a positive attitude toward collaboration and teamwork
• Knowledge of two official Swiss languages and English

About Agroscope & Location

Agroscope is the Swiss federal centre of excellence for research in the agriculture and food sector. Its researchers work at a number of sites in Switzerland. Headquartered in Bern‑Liebefeld (as of 2026: Posieux), Agroscope is attached to the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER.

Benefits

• Working for Switzerland: We are committed to the successful Swiss model and work for the public good.
• Embracing diversity: Thanks to equal opportunities, we draw on our expertise and contribute different perspectives.
• Staying healthy at work: We support and advise our employees in the area of physical and mental health.

Additional Information

The 'Agroecology and Environment' Research Division investigates the effects of agriculture on the environmental dimensions of climate, air, soil, biodiversity, nutrient cycles and water. Based on the principles of agroecology and using real‑world data, we develop solutions for a sustainable agricultural sector. The interconnectedness of the disciplines is essential here for identifying synergies and trade‑offs.

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