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 Phytoplankton Ecology Group at the Department of Aquatic Ecology of Eawag is looking for a
PostDoc in Plankton Ecology (2 years)The position is ideal for a junior postdoc and it is fully funded for two years (2025 and 2026) with the possibility (pending additional funds) to be extended for a third year (2027). The position is affiliated to the group of Dr Francesco Pomati.
The postdoc will help support and coordinate the research group activities and exploit the rich and multidimensional plankton datasets we have collected using automated monitoring (www. aquascope.ch). Data include 5-6 years of daily observations of plankton taxa abundances and their morphological traits based on underwater imaging, water chemistry and physics, and size- fractionated plankton samples for DNA extraction and genomics work.
This position allows a high level of independence , own ideas and contributions regarding scientific questions and themes covered, and the development of new research questions that complement the focus and expertise of the research group. We are interested in exploiting the rich information of our plankton datasets, that allows investigating the ecology of understudied plankton taxa (e.g. microzooplankton, mixotrophic phytoplankton), species interactions including facilitation, competition, grazing and host-parasite, modelling of morphological traits and taxa growth rates responses to environmental change, and eco-evolutionary dynamics. Modelling and forecasting community dynamics (including cyanobacterial blooms – www. cyanobloom.ch) is a priority area of our research group. The development of metagenomics for studying functional diversity and species interactions is a potential new research direction of interest.
Our research group offers a diverse and multidisciplinary environment with local and international collaborations, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and expertise in community ecology of plankton, toxic cyanobacteria, data-analysis approaches, and machine learning, including access to high-performance computing resources. We embrace equity, diversity and inclusiveness by actively promoting equal opportunities for underrepresented minorities and supporting the compatibility of family and work. As persons and scientists, we value differences in ideas, background, belief, gender and opinion as the essence of creativity and as fundamentals to personal and professional growth.
We are seeking a highly motivated, communicative, enthusiastic, and independent candidate with a passion for aquatic ecology. The ideal candidate is an open-minded, creative person who thinks outside the box and likes to question assumptions and norms. This position is hosted at Eawag in Dübendorf and the working language is English.
Desired Qualifications:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All applications received by 30 November 2024 are guaranteed full consideration. Applications after this date will be considered until the position is filled. The application must include a cover letter explaining your motivation for the position (max 1 page) and your interests/ideas concerning the research that can be done in the hosting group (max 1 page), a CV, the contact information of at least 2 references, diplomas and transcripts. The start date will be defined by mutual agreement (early 2025) and the appointment is 24 months.
Eawag is a modern employer and offers an excellent interdisciplinary working environment where staff can contribute their strengths, experience and ways of thinking. We promote gender equality and are committed to staff diversity and inclusion. The compatibility of career and family is of central importance to us. For more information about Eawag and our work conditions please consult www. eawag.ch and www. eawag.ch/en/aboutus/working/employment.
For further information, please contact [email protected].
We look forward to receiving your application. Please send it through this webpage, any other way of applying will not be considered. A click on the button below will take you directly to the application form.
Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology