Eidg. Forschungsanstalt WSL
Birmensdorf
4 days ago
Group Leader Conservation Biology 80% (m/f/d)
- Publication date:08 December 2025
- Workload:80%
- Place of work:Birmensdorf
Job summary
The Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL focuses on sustainable environmental use. Join a dynamic team dedicated to nature conservation!
Tasks
- Lead a research group in conservation biology with 15-20 members.
- Manage projects integrating national data centers on lichens and fungi.
- Publish findings and collaborate with stakeholders in conservation.
Skills
- PhD in biology or environmental science with a strong research background.
- Excellent leadership and communication abilities required.
- Fluency in English and at least one Swiss national language is essential.
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About the job
The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, with around 600 employees, is part of the ETH domain. It deals with the sustainable use and protection of the environment as well as responsible management of natural hazards.
Group Leader Conservation Biology 80% (m/f/d)
The research unit Biodiversity and Conservation Biology investigates the diversity of life, from genetic diversity through species to habitat diversity as well as their interactions, and provides the basis for evidence-based nature conservation. Due to succession arrangements, we are looking for a 1 August 2026 or by agreement a
As a recognized personality in the field of conservation biology, you lead a research group with 15–20 employees and align the activities with the WSL Strategy 2035 . Supporting project leaders and integrating two national data centers (lichens, fungi) as well as leading your own practice-oriented research projects are among your diverse tasks. You acquire third-party funding, maintain exchange with other research groups, and support work at the interface between research and practice. You focus on forest or urban ecosystems and primarily work with animals, lichens, and/or fungi. You publish your results in both scientific and practice-oriented journals and engage in collaboration with authorities and professional organizations. Additionally, you may be involved in teaching at ETH and/or universities.
You hold a doctorate in biology or environmental sciences and have built a successful scientific career in the fields of conservation biology or restoration ecology. You have good organismic knowledge and are familiar with field and laboratory-based identification methods. You have a proven track record in developing and financing research projects and maintain active publication and implementation activities. You are an integrative and committed personality, and collaboration with stakeholders in the field of conservation is familiar to you. You have experience leading research teams, doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, and technical staff and possess excellent leadership and communication skills. Fluent English skills and proficiency in at least one Swiss national language are required.
Please send your complete application to Michèle Bucher, Human Resources WSL, by submitting the required documents via our application portal. Applications by e-mail or postal mail will not be considered. For questions, Dr. Kurt Bollmann, kurt.bollmann(at)wsl.ch; +41 44 739 24 11, is happy to assist you. At WSL, diversity and inclusion are lived values. We are committed to gender equality and promoting an open and inclusive working environment.
Please send your complete application to Michèle Bucher, Human Resources WSL, by submitting the required documents via our application portal. Applications by e-mail or postal mail will not be considered. For questions, Dr. Kurt Bollmann, kurt.bollmann(at)wsl.ch; +41 44 739 24 11, is happy to assist you. At WSL, diversity and inclusion are lived values. We are committed to gender equality and promoting an open and inclusive working environment.
