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.
Understanding how biodiversity varies among lakes is essential for developing effective approaches to ecological assessment and conservation. The Swiss National Assessment of Lake Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (
SNALBES) aims to advance the assessment of Swiss lake biodiversity and develop methods that support biodiversity monitoring and lake management. The project brings together researchers and local, cantonal, and federal authorities to connect scientific understanding with practical needs.
This master’s thesis will contribute to SNALBES through an investigation of littoral macroinvertebrate samples collected from the littoral zones of 100+ Swiss lakes. Conducted in collaboration with Dr Anita Narwani in the Aquatic Ecology department of Eawag, the project will focus on characterizing these communities and investigating differences in their diversity, abundance, and composition among lakes.
The student will process and identify macroinvertebrate samples, develop a quality-controlled community dataset, and analyze biodiversity patterns across a selected set of lakes. Depending on the available environmental data, the thesis could investigate how community composition relates to habitat characteristics, water properties, or other lake-level conditions. The specific research question, sample selection, and taxonomic resolution will be developed jointly with the supervisory team.
We are looking for a motivated master’s student with interests in freshwater biodiversity, community ecology, and zooplankton. Good spoken and written English are essential. You should enjoy careful microscopy work and be interested in developing taxonomic identification and quantitative analysis skills. Previous experience with macroinvertebrate taxonomy and statistical analysis in R would be an advantage but is not required. The practical work will be based at Eawag, Kastanienbaum (near Luzern), where there are possibilities for subsidized accommodation in shared flats.
The preferred starting date is in the spring of 2027, but is flexible. Students in degree programs outside of Europe may be offered a position if appropriate permits for studies in Switzerland can be obtained.
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 can be submitted until the position is filled and will therefore be evaluated on a rolling basis. Applications should include a short letter (max. one page) describing your interests, your preferred project duration and timing, and a CV.
For further information, please contact
Dr Blake Matthews.
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.