Eidg. Forschungsanstalt WSL
Birmensdorf
4 days ago
Group Leader Social-Ecological Transformation 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 committed to ecological transformation.
Tasks
- Lead the new research group on socio-ecological transformation.
- Conduct interdisciplinary research on key WSL themes and strategies.
- Acquire funding, manage projects, and supervise academic work.
Skills
- PhD in environmental social sciences with a track record in transformation.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills in German and English.
- Competent in diverse research methods, especially in transformation studies.
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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 Social-Ecological Transformation 80% (m/f/d)
The research unit Economic and Social Sciences addresses social science questions related to WSL research topics and is looking for a new team leader from July 1, 2026 or by arrangement.
You will establish the new research group "Social-Ecological Transformation" and lead it scientifically and administratively. You will conduct research on social-ecological transformation in relation to WSL core topics as well as focus topics of the WSL Strategy 2035 . Depending on the topic, you will work inter- and transdisciplinarily with colleagues from the social and natural sciences and from practice. You will apply qualitative and quantitative research methods, especially those suitable for transformation research (e.g., real-world laboratories, envisioning). You will acquire research funding, lead research projects, and supervise scientific qualification theses. You will publish your research results in scientific journals and implement them in other appropriate formats. If interested, you can also engage in university teaching.
You hold a doctorate in an environmental social science field (e.g., human geography, transformation research, environmental policy, economics, sociology) and can demonstrate a successful career in the field of social-ecological transformation. This includes acquiring research projects, active publishing and implementation activities, as well as successful leadership of teams with doctoral and postdoctoral researchers including their supervision. You are an integrative and committed personality and are familiar with collaboration with stakeholders in your field. You possess excellent leadership and communication skills. You are competent in handling a broad portfolio of research methods and interested in collaborating with colleagues from the natural sciences. You are fluent in German and English, both spoken and written, and can communicate well in a second national language.
Please send your complete application to Michèle Bucher, Human Resources WSL, by submitting the required documents via our application portal. Applications by email or postal mail will not be considered. For questions, Prof. Dr. Irmi Seidl is available at Tel. +41 (0)44 739 23 24. Diversity and inclusion are lived values at WSL. We are committed to gender equality and promoting an open and inclusive working environment.
