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.
Migration is one of nature’s most spectacular forms of animal movement and has a long and illuminating scientific history, with exciting new discoveries year after year. The billions of animals migrating every year around the globe are all occupying some place in the food web, which they are leaving once they migrate. This has consequences for ecosystems, but understanding such consequences requires a thorough insight into the interaction between environmental variation, ecosystem structure, trophic ecology and migratory patterns, where the latter is influenced both by evolution and the ambient environment. Despite the many phenomenological discoveries in migration biology, such insights are rare. This is unfortunate, since we currently experience a global biodiversity crisis and a migratory crisis, where migratory species are at higher risk than resident species and where ongoing climate change may change alternative resident- and migratory habitats to different degrees, which may disrupt population-level phenotypic matching between resident and migratory environments.
We urgently need an integrated approach, combining multiple scientific disciplines to gain a more profound understanding of the biocomplexity of migration and its evolution in a changing climate. To enable strong empirical research on such environmental, ecological and evo-lutionary aspects of animal migration, replicate study systems are needed. This is for many of the classical migration study systems unfortunately not the case. However, migrations of salmonid fish between freshwater- and ocean environments in the Arctic offer ideal study systems with replication on individual-, on population- and on entire ecosystem level.
In this project, we will study how glaciers differentially affect fjord environments and how this in turn affects the ecology, movement patterns and local distinctiveness of multiple communities of anadromous Arctic charr along a local- and latitudinal climate gradient in Greenland. More specifically, we will study how presence versus absence of glacial input and type of glacial input, i.e. input from land-terminating glaciers versus fjord-terminating glaciers, affect the abiotic and biotic environment of fjords, how this affects the foraging and phenotypic divergence of migratory populations and finally, which consequences this has for charr speciation as well as lake ecosystem structure.
These studies are facilitated not only by a unique study system, but also by existing field equipment, laboratory facilities and an excellent research environment at Eawag and by our long experience in the research field, including a decade on research in Greenland with more than 15’000 Arctic charr sampled across rivers, lakes and fjords in the region. The project is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
The postdoc will team up with a dedicated PhD Student, and the work will be carried out in close collaboration with oth-er, early-career researchers, working on adaptive radiation of
Arctic charr in post-glacial lakes.
We are looking for someone with research experience in ecology and evolution. You should have an earned doctorate (or expect to finish the PhD early 2027) in a relevant field of biology, ecology, or environmental science and a strong interest in fish migration ecology. Excel-lent communication and writing skills in English and in German, data analyses skills and ability to work in a team are essential. Knowledge of salmonid migration life history is a clear benefit for the position. Prior experience with otolith microchemistry is a benefit for the position, but not a fixed prerequisite
The successful candidate will focus mainly on the life history variation among anadromous charr populations sampled both in a mosaic fjordscape in South Greenland, where Arctic charr populations migrate from either glacial-fed- or tundra streams into fjord habitats either influenced by marine- or land-terminating glaciers of non-glacially influenced fjord habitats, and on a large climatic gradient, covering approximately 1500km along the Greenland West Coast. The postdoc will take part in fieldwork in Northwestern Greenland in the summer of 2027. Life history variation will primarily be investigated through otolith microchemistry, but otherwise, the postdoc is expected to bring own ideas to the project.
The position will be within the 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. 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.
The preferred starting date is early 2027, duration of the position is 22 months on a 100% workload (or longer on an 80% workload).
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 30 November 2026 and should include an application letter describing your scientific interests and their relevance to this position, a CV with publication list and the names and contact information for two references.
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.