Sébastien CajotSébastien is a postdoctoral researcher at the Industrial Process and Energy Systems Engineering (IPESE) Group at Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland. He holds a Master in environmental sciences and engineering from EPFL and Kyoto University, and a PhD in energy from EPFL.
During his PhD, he has worked as researcher on urban and energy system planning at the European Institute for Energy Research (EIFER) in Karlsruhe, Germany between 2014 and 2017.
Prior to that, he worked during two and half years as business process analyst at the environmental and energy department of canton de Vaud, Switzerland. There, his focus was also to develop a system of indicators to inform the local government on the efficiency of the State’s energy policy.
Silvia HostettlerShort Profile
PhD Environmental Science
20 years of experience in global sustainability challenges
Professional Activities
09/2012–05/2019 Cooperation & Development Center, EPFL Deputy Director
Acting Director of CODEV from February to September 2014.
Leading research projects in disaster risk reduction.
Lecturer in Development Engineering.
Directing International Conference on Technologies for Development.
02/2008–08/2012 swissnex India Executive Director
Establishing research collaboration between India and Switzerland.
Building networks and organising 58 events with research organisations.
Developing projects in science and technology, education and innovation.
Managing swissnex India team (6 people) in Bangalore, India.
05/2001–01/2007 EPFL, Switzerland Researcher
Research and publication of a PhD dissertation on land use changes and international migration.
Developed research projects in Latin America and the Caribbean in collaboration with Swiss and Southern partner institutions.
05/2001–12/2001 NCCR North-South, University of Bern Consultant
Responsible for backstopping workshops in Ethiopia, Kenya, Cuba, Bolivia, Nepal and Vietnam.
Ensured continuation of learning process and production of final report.
07/2001–12/2001 Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) Researcher
Co-organised conference: “Research Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Approaches and Experiences in Latin America” in Cartagena, Colombia.
04/2001–12/2001 IUCN – The World Conservation Union Programme Assistant
Developed project proposals with local organisations in China for IUCN Northeast Asia programme.
01/2000–03/2001 IUCN – The World Conservation Programme Coordinator Cloud Forest Initiative
Developed project proposals with IUCN Regional Offices in Latin America, Africa and Asia and presented projects to donor agencies.
Established networks with international partners (World Conservation Monitoring Centre, WWF, UNESCO) to prepare joint activities for cloud forest conservation.
09/1996–01/1997 State Secretariat for Education and Research
Co-organised “Research and Technology Day” in Stockholm, Sweden
Research and Working Experience Abroad
India | Executive Director, swissnex India | (2008-2012)Mexico | Fieldwork for PhD research | (9 months, 2002-2004)Burkina Faso | Fieldwork for CAS research | (6 months, 1998-1999)Ghana | Fieldwork for BSc research | (3 months, 1996)London | Internship at Greenpeace | (6 months, 1994)Colombia | Exchange programme at college level in Bogota | (1987)
Management Skills
Planning and leading the creation of short- and long-term visionsStrategic programme planningLeading Teams Professional Affiliations
Member of the Editorial Board, Journal of Development Engineering (2015-
Swiss Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries (KFPE) (2013-
Conseil Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques (CSRS) (2017-2019)
Professional Women’s Group Bangalore (2009-2012)