The Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, or Eawag, is a globally connected aquatic research organization housed inside the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH Domain). Eawag works to fulfill the immediate demands of people for water while also preserving the integrity and functionality of aquatic ecosystems via research, teaching, and professional advice.
Two PhD spots in Food Web Ecophysiology (m/f/d) are available in the Department of Fish Ecology and Evolution (FishEc).
The Food Web Ecophysiology group will investigate the effects of global warming on the phenology (seasonality), biomass, and nutritional quality of aquatic-to-terrestrial insect subsidies, as well as their evolutionary ecology. This project’s ultimate objective is to forecast how changes in the nutritional environment brought about by climate change may endanger terrestrial consumers who depend on aquatic insect subsidies, such as bats, spiders, and birds.
Read: The Professor of Astrodynamics position at the Technical University of Munich (TUM)
The goals of the PhD projects
The PhD projects aim to comprehend the following: 1) intraspecific variation in aquatic insect phenology, biomass, and nutritional content along thermal gradients; and 2) how the species composition of aquatic insects along thermal gradients influences subsidy timing, magnitude, and nutritional content. To gather phenological data, extensive seasonal fieldwork will be carried out along elevational thermal gradients in Central Switzerland, as well as either an Icelandic geothermal gradient or an urban heat island gradient in Belgium. We will be able to comprehend finer-scale intraspecific variation caused by temperature and food quality through captive-rearing research. Prospective PhD candidates are encouraged to find out more about the project’s broad objectives at https://cornelia-twining.squarespace.com/nutriphenol.
Students will be housed within the Department of Fish Ecology and Evolution (FishEc), located on the shores of Lake Lucerne in Kastanienbaum, Switzerland, and will receive degrees from ETH Zürich in the Department of Environmental Systems Science (USYS).
Necessary qualifications
The ideal applicant will possess the following requirements: the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a small team; self-motivation in learning new skills and subjects; and a resilient, growth-based mentality. Additionally, it would be ideal if you have some past wet lab experience and are at ease working independently in the lab. You also require a strong background in data analysis and communication. English is used as the departmental and lab working language.
Being a contemporary employer, Eawag provides a great work atmosphere where employees can share their knowledge, skills, and perspectives. We are dedicated to the diversity and inclusion of our team and we support gender equality. We place a great deal of significance on the harmony between family and profession.
For more information about Eawag and our work conditions please consult www.eawag.ch and www.eawag.ch/en/aboutus/working/employment.
Evaluation of applications
Applications will be reviewed beginning on March 1, 2024, and will continue until the post is filled. Although the commencement date is negotiable, it should ideally start on September 1, 2024. A letter of motivation, CV, the names and email addresses of two references, and a PDF with an example of typical scientific writing (such as a class final report, thesis, manuscript draft, or published work) should all be included with your application.
For questions, please email Dr Lily Twining.
