SLF - WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, Switzerland

The WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF is part of the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL and thus belongs to the ETH Domain. It engages in research and scientific services with focus on snow, avalanches, other alpine natural hazards, permafrost and mountain ecosystems. Its best-known service is the avalanche bulletin.

The SLF carries out advanced research while at the same time contributing to the resolution of urgent social issues, such as warning of natural hazards or analysing climatic and environmental changes in mountain areas.

Research for people and the environment

• The SLF monitors and researches the condition, origin and evolution of natural hazards, snow, permafrost and mountain ecological systems.
• The SLF develops concepts, strategies and specific measures to protect populations against natural hazards, in particular avalanches.
• The SLF develops sustainable solutions for socially relevant issues, in collaboration with partners in the scientific and social sectors.

Fellowships

The WSL supports external scientists to visit WSL by offering fellowships in order to enable collaboration together with WSL employees for a specified period of time.

The fellowship mainly addresses Senior Scientists (i.e. those with a min of 5 years after their PhD), Professors, etc. who are employed by a research institute and who will remain employed by this said research institute during their stay at the WSL. A typical example is a sabbatical. The term of such a fellowship would generally be between three to twelve months.

The purpose of a WSL fellowship shall serve to promote the independent development of a scientific project together with WSL employees as well as to enhance and support a knowledge transfer.