Internship in Lake Ecology and Macroinvertebrate Biodiversity (100%)

Eawag; Kastanienbaum; Remote; CHF 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, invites applications for an internship in Lake Ecology and Macroinvertebrate Biodiversity based at Kastanienbaum near Lucerne. The successful student will assist in sample processing for the SNALBES project, sorting and identifying macroinvertebrates to the finest taxonomic level possible.

The role requires current university enrollment, interest in biodiversity, and good English.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled at a university or college; bachelor’s or master’s degree in biology, biodiversity or environmental sciences preferred.
• Interest in biodiversity and taxonomic identification is required.
• Experience with identifying macroinvertebrates is ideal.
• A good level of English is required; driver's license is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Support sample processing for the SNALBES project.
• Sort, identify and count macroinvertebrate taxa to the highest taxonomic resolution possible.
• Work with samples collected from Swiss lakes and assist with data entry and quality checks.
• Collaborate within the Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics Group and other teams at Kastanienbaum.

Skills

biodiversity

taxonomic identification

macroinvertebrates

english language

driver's license (helpful)

Education

Enrollment at university (biology/biodiversity/environmental sciences)

Job description

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.

Internship in Lake Ecology and Macroinvertebrate Biodiversity (100%)

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