PhD student
Start Date
01.01.2027 or by arrangement
Employment Relationship
100%, 3.5 years, renewable to max. 4 years
Institution / Workplace
Institute of Geography
Bern
With us, you create value.
For yourself and for society.
For yourself and for society.
About us
The Climatology Group at the Institute of Geography and the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of Bern, led by Prof. Stefan Brönnimann, is announcing a PhD position focusing on past weather and climate extremes in Switzerland. This position is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation as part of the NCCR CLIM+ programme (https://www.nccr-climplus.ch/): "Climate Extremes and Society: Strengthening Resilience". NCCR CLIM+ will address emerging research questions on societal transformation in the context of climate change mitigation and societal resilience, including the topic of heat and health. It will pioneer novel approaches in physics-based and data-driven climate modeling. As a member of the NCCR CLIM+, you will form part of an exciting, interdisciplinary community linking many Swiss institutions.Job description
The aim of the thesis is to further develop multi-variable, high-resolution daily weather reconstructions for Switzerland and Europe and to analyse the historical frequency, intensity, characteristics and timing of past weather and climate extremes in these data. The focus will be on heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and floods. Alongside statistical analysis, the meteorological and climatological conditions that lead to climate extremes will be studied, as well as the impact of these events in the past. The goal is to quantify the variability of weather and climate extremes in the pre-industrial era using multi-century observation-based meteorological fields alongside climate model simulations. The thesis will inform the generation of storylines of climate extreme and contribute to attribution studies within the project.Your profile
We are looking for a candidate with an MSc degree in geography, climate science, environmental science or similar, with proven skills in statistics, quantitative methods and programming as well as openness for interdisciplinary work. The University of Bern promotes equal opportunity and diversity, supporting female and minority researchers.
Your Benefits
- International reputation
- Individual career support
- Strong research infrastructure and international network
- Collaborative environment and ambitious team
Working at the University of Bern
The University of Bern not only offers exciting tasks but also an environment that actively promotes development, diversity, and equal opportunities. Discover what makes us stand out as an employer and how you can grow with us.
Application and Contact
Application deadline: October 08, 2026
Please send a letter of motivation, your CV and publication list as well as names of three references IN ONE PDF-FILE
Please send a letter of motivation, your CV and publication list as well as names of three references IN ONE PDF-FILE
Questions about the position?
Prof. Stefan Brönnimannstefan.broennimann@unibe.ch