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Master's thesis in Reconstructing methanotrophic bacteria communities during the Holocene of an alpine lake (mfd)
Job Location:
Job Location:
Uster - Switzerland
Monthly Salary:
Not provided by the employer
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
19 September 2026 (3 days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
17 December 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
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 Surface Waters Research and Management (SURF) in Dübendorf (ZH) has a vacancy for a
Masters thesis in Reconstructing methanotrophic bacteria communities during the Holocene of an alpine lake (m/f/d)
Background: Methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) plays a key role in regulating methane emissions from lakes yet their past community dynamics under changing environmental and climate conditions remain poorly constrained. Our group studies MOB communities in alpine and peri-alpine lakes using a combination of lipid biomarker analysis and molecular biology tools. We are now looking for a motivated masters student to apply this approach to a 12-meter-long sediment core retrieved from the alpine Lac de Taney (VS).
Project description: This MSc project will reconstruct MOB community composition and dynamics in the Lac de Taney sediment record using specific bacterial lipid biomarkers known as bacteriohopanepolyols (BHP) alongside complementary proxies (e.g. TOC XRF elemental abundances) and relate these findings to the broader evolution of the lakes biogeochemistry during the Holocene. The Sedimentology Group is part of the Department of Surface Waters and is headed by Prof. Nathalie Dubois Head of the Department of Surface Waters. The project offers the possibility to shape the specific research questions together depending on the students interests.
What you will do
- Process and subsample the Lac de Taney sediment core (50 samples)
- Extract and analyze lipid biomarkers via UHPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS
- Perform DNA extraction and prepare samples for 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing
- Interpret multi-proxy data to reconstruct past microbial community dynamics
- Optionally join a fieldwork campaign at Lake Rotsee to see the full workflow of core retrieval firsthand in October 2026
You will gainhands-on laboratory experience across a full analytical pipeline spanning organic geochemistry and molecular biology. You will have access to state-of-the-art instrumentation at Eawag Dübendorf including UHPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS and receive close supervision within an active research group.
We are looking for a student enrolled in an MSc programme at ETH in geoscience environmental science biology or a related field. You have an interest in biogeochemistry (paleo)limnology and/or microbial ecology and are willing to work with a range of analytical techniques. No prior experience with mass spectrometry or molecular biology is required.
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.
The project is scheduled to start in the fall semester 2026 with the proposal phase (if required e.g. D-EAPS at ETH) followed by the project in the spring semester 2027. The exact start date can be discussed. The project has a duration of 6 months. The supervisors are Lorenzo Cellino PhD student and Nora Richter SNSF Ambizione Fellow.
Deadline for applications is 30 October 2026 or until the position is filled and will therefore be evaluated on a rolling basis. Applications should include a very short cover letter (max. one page) describing your interests and their relevance to this position as well as a CV.
For more details on the position please contact Lorenzo Cellino or Nora Richter by email.
We look forward to receiving your application.Please send it through this webpage as any other way of applying will not be considered. A click on the link below will take you directly to the application form.
Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
About Company
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 meetin ... View more
