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 riverine 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 understand the interactions and potential feedbacks between ecology and evolution.
We are looking for an intern to work on multiple projects, including the projects
Climate change and fish movement patterns, lake trout migration patterns in Lake Lucerne and adaptive radiation and migration in Arctic charr in Greenland.
Prerequisite for the application is the enrollment at a university or college, ideally degree program Biology, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering etc. (bachelor's or master's degree but not yet completed).
Your responsibilities are support during fieldwork and laboratory work. The fieldwork includes participation in monitoring of fish migration through download of data from acoustic receivers in the Rhine-Aare river network and electrofishing and tagging of spawning adult lake trout and juvenile trout in streams around Lake Lucerne. Laboratory work will primarily focus on preserving collected Arctic charr belonging to multiple ecomorphs, but may also include genetic analyses, stable isotope analyses, stomach content analyses and/or morphological analyses, depending on the experience and interest of the intern.
Time period: Optimal start date is November or early-December 2026. Start and end date of the internship is flexible and duration of internship is between 4 and 6 months.
The main workplace is at Eawag’s Center for Ecology, Evolution and Biogeochemistry (CEEB) in Kastanienbaum, Lucerne, which besides the Fish Ecology and Evolution Department hosts research group 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.
At Eawag, we have a working environment in which people with different experiences, strengths, and perspectives can fully contribute and further develop. Here, you can help us advance! We promote genuine participation, exchange, and mutual understanding. We create structures that enable the compatibility of work and other areas of life, such as care work, and continuously make efforts to reduce barriers.
Do you have specific requirements regarding the application process or the position, or do you need additional information? Talk to us about it - we will be happy to support you with possible flexible workplace, working hours, and job design solutions. For further information please visit our website about
Eawag as well as our
conditions of employment.
Applications must be submitted by 27 September 2026 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. For further information, please contact Jakob Brodersen (
jakob.brodersen@eawag.ch; +41 58 765 22 04).
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.