TIRLab - Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing

The TIRLab of the Department of Geography at the University of Zurich is engaged in research and teaching in the field of thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing. Our research is tailored to different spheres and scales, and is based on a diverse approach of experimental, field, and modelling studies using a wide range of tools and datasets. Our teaching ranges from the physical fundamentals to applications of pressing environmental and societal issues arising from global atmospheric change. In addition to lectures, we promote understanding of TIR data through hands-on exercises and student projects, and are open to theses that exploit the potential of TIR remote sensing across scales and spheres.

Grid containing content elements

News

28 May 2026

UZH Semester Award for Ella!

We are very proud to announce that Ella Schubiger receives an UZH semester award for her MSc thesis entitled “Remote Sensing of Mental Health: The Burden of Heat Exposure in Switzerland. An Interdisciplinary Study Combining Earth Observation and Epidemiology.”.

Congratulations Ella, very well deserved!

More about UZH Semester Award for Ella!
13 Apr 2026

Welcome Sonia Dupuis!

Starting from April 2026, Dr. Sonia Dupuis joined TIRLab as a Postdoc after completing her PhD Thesis at the University of Bern on AVHRR Pan - Arctic 40 years LST and emissivity time series. Sonia will work on the SNSF funded "CRYO-SPIRIT: Understanding and preparing in a rapidly changing high-mountain environment - a collaborative scientific effort of two small mountain countries Bhutan and Switzerland", focusing on permafrost modelling in Bhutan. She will stay with us until December 2026, before starting her SNSF Postdoc Mobility at the University of Oslo.

More about Welcome Sonia Dupuis!
5 Mar 2026

New preprint available!

Want to work with thermal infrared data acquired from drones? Facing challenges in retrieving accurate LST information from such platforms? Interested in TIR application in mountainous terrain and specifically over cryospheric landforms? Check our preprint "Towards Best Practices in UAV Thermal Remote Sensing in Complex Environments" at this link and read about our experiences and findings – we are happy to discuss and exchange further, just reach out.

More about New preprint available!