PhD Student; m​/w​/d

Biodiversity-inspired lake modeling – linking processes from cells to ecosystems.

Climate change is causing lake surface waters to warm, which increases thermal stratification and can reduce nutrient input from deeper waters. This project will upgrade mechanistic lake models to incorporate greater planktonic biodiversity to (a) predict diversity and community composition responses to combined gradients of warming and changes in resource availability (light, nitrogen, and phosphorus), and (b) improve predictions of ecosystem properties and functioning by including the impacts of phytoplankton diversity and composition.

International collaboration between research groups at Eawag, Wageningen University, NIOO‑KNAW, and the University of Rhode Island. Project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation Lead Agency process.

The successful candidate will mainly conduct controlled laboratory experiments, with additional field work sampling Swiss lakes. Data collected will inform, parameterise, and validate lake model predictions. The role will involve close collaboration with lake ecosystem modelers within a large, multidisciplinary team.

• Completed a master’s degree in biology, biodiversity, aquatic ecology, evolutionary biology, limnology, oceanography, environmental science, or related field.
• Strong understanding of lake ecosystems, phytoplankton physiology, and experience running controlled, highly replicated laboratory experiments.
• Training in molecular biology is valued; experience with field work is an asset.
• Developed computational skills and comfortable with at least one coding language (R, Python, etc.).
• Enjoys dynamic teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Based at Eawag in Dübendorf, Zurich, within the Biodiversity & Ecosystem Functioning group. Latest starting date: 1 December 2026. Fully funded for 4 years.