PhD student for Snow Water Equivalent innovative sensor development (f/m/d)

Research Scientist – Muon Sensors and Snowpack Dynamics

You will work on a research project funded by the Swiss National Competence Center Muoniverse. Muoniverse is dedicated to advancing muon science across particle physics, quantum materials, and applications ranging from energy research to cultural heritage.

You will be collaborating with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) to validate and deploy their DMAPS muon sensors for measuring Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) in alpine environments. Your work will begin at the Weissfluhjoch test site, where you will cross-validate sensor readings with existing automated and manual snow measurements (e.g., snow scale, snow profiles, SMP). You will also conduct high-frequency manual sampling during key events to capture temporal dynamics. Once validated, you will deploy multiple sensors to study small-scale SWE variability during mass redistribution and loss events, and later in heterogeneous terrain like ridges, gen...