Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, is an internationally networked aquatic research institute within the ETH Domain (Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology). Eawag conducts research, education and expert consulting to achieve the dual goals of meeting direct human needs for water and maintaining the function and integrity of aquatic ecosystems.
Arctic charr in numerous Greenland lakes have during the Holocene evolved up to six reproductively isolated sympatric ecomorphs. This apparent parallel adaptive radiation in different drainage systems offers a unique opportunity to compare the influence of different environmental factors on the extent and pattern of rapid ecological speciation. We have over the last decade sampled charr communities in 99 lakes from 67 different drainages.
We wish to expand our ecological, phenotypic and population genetic analyses with analyses of whole genome data from different radiation members in multiple drainages, to answer questions regarding: a. influence of parallel adaptive radiation compared to secondary invasions with subsequent geneflow on speciation patterns, b. parallelisms in underlying genomic architecture in different ecomorphs, c. influence of the two ancestral colonizing lineages on speciation patterns and d. existence of cryptic species not identifiable with microsatellite analyses. The main work of the post doc includes analyzing whole genome data, writing scientific arti-cles, and supporting PhD students in population genetic data analyses of both Swiss and Greenlandic fish communities.
The position is funded for 20 months and will be hosted by the River Fish Ecology group, led by Dr Jakob Brodersen.
The successful candidate has research experience in ecology and evolution. Applicants should have an earned doctorate in a relevant field of biology, ecology, or environmental science and a strong interest in evolutionary ecology and adaptive radiation research. Excellent communication and writing skills in English, data analyses skills and ability to work in a team are essential. Substantial experience with whole genome analyses is a further requirement for the position.
The main workplace is Eawag’s Center for Ecology, Evolution and Biogeochemistry (CEEB) in Kastanienbaum, Lucerne, which besides the Fish Ecology and Evolution Department hosts research groups from the Department Surface Waters – Research & Management and offers a beautiful workplace at the shores of Lake Lucerne, a friendly international working climate and a strong cross-disciplinary research environment. Both departments within CEEB share a common interest in understanding the principles of the functioning of aquatic ecosystems and their susceptibility and adaptability to changing environments, and a common concern for sustainable management of ecosystems and biodiversity. Each department on its own aims at contributing cutting-edge science to the development of theory in ecology, evolution and environmental sciences. Building on the synergies that emerge between these fields, the CEEB aspires to contribute to a future synthesis of evolutionary biology and ecosystem sci-ence.
Eawag is a modern employer and offers an excellent working environment where staff can contribute their strengths, experience, and ways of thinking. We promote gender equality and are committed to staff diversity and inclusion. The compatibility of career and family is of central importance to us. For more information about Eawag and our work conditions please consult
www.eawag.ch and
www.eawag.ch/en/aboutus/working/employment.
Applications must be submitted by 19 October 2025 and should include an application letter describing your interests and their relevance to this position, a CV, and the names and contact information for two references.
The preferred starting date is January 2026.
For further information, please contact
Dr Jakob Brodersen.
We look forward to receiving your application. Please send it through this webpage, as any other way of applying will not be considered. A click on the button below will take you directly to the application form.