Internship in Lake Ecology and Macroinvertebrate Biodiversity

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.

The Department of Aquatic Ecology (Eco) has a vacancy for a 3-6 month paid

The position will be based in the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning Group of Dr Anita Narwani. You would also spend time at Eawag’s Kastanienbaum campus near Lucerne in the Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics Group of Dr Blake Matthews. It is also possible to hold the position based out of the Kastanienbaum campus.

We are looking for

• an enthusiastic, curious and conscientious worker.
• An interest in biodiversity and taxonomic identification is required.
• Experience with identifying macroinvertebrates is ideal.
• A prerequisite for the application is the current enrollment at a university or college, with preference for programs in Biology, Biodiversity or Environmental Sciences (bachelor’s or master’s degree but not yet completed).
• A good level of English is required.
• A valid driver’s license is helpful.

The successful candidate will support sample processing for the SNALBES project. In this project we have sampled >90 lakes in 2026 and aim to characterize the biodiversity and ecological intactness of Swiss lakes. Your work will focus on processing the already-collected macroinvertebrate samples. You will primarily sort, identify and count taxa to the highest level of taxonomic resolution possible: family, genus or species.

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.

For further information, please contact Dr Anita Narwani.

Eawag:
Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology