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.
In the research group
River Fish Ecology, we study the ecology and evolution of fish in various aquatic ecosystems. We work mainly at the interface between ecology and evolution and realize again and again that these two traditionally separate disciplines are interdependent. More specifically, we are working on adaptation, fish migration and river fish biodiversity at the genetic, phenotypic and community level. The overall objective of our work is to under-stand the interactions and potential feedback between ecology and evolution.
We are looking for an intern to work on multiple different projects, but with a main focus on morphological divergence in arctic charr from yet undescribed adaptive radiations in South Greenland lake systems. With its high replication on ecosystem level, simple food webs and low anthropogenic impact, this study system allows us to increase our understanding of the environmental factors that promote and restrict speciation.
The successful candidate is enrolled at a university or college, ideally degree program Biology, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering etc. (bachelor or master's degree, but not yet completed).
Your responsibilities are support during especially laboratory analyses, but with some sup-port for fieldwork as well. Laboratory work will primarily focus on morphological analyses, but may also include stable isotope analyses, and stomach content analyses. The fieldwork will primarily focus on assistance in monitoring of fish migration (downloading data from receivers and antennas in rivers) and may additionally include participation in electrofishing, and tagging of fish.
The position will be based at Eawag 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.
The preferred starting date is February 2026 but start and end date of the internship are flexible. Duration of the internship is between 4 and 6 months.
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 1 December 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. Due to Swiss visa regulations, we can only consider applications from non-EU citizens if the internship is an integral part of their studies.
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.