Postdoc position in spatial genomics of aquatic invertebrates (3 years)

Position Overview

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.

Project Background

Genetic diversity is the foundation for natural selection and adaptation to environmental change and captures contemporary and past population dynamics. Its understanding is thus central both from an academic and a management perspective. However, contemporary understanding of genetic diversity is still scattered, and largely based on a small set of genetic markers. Recent advances in the analysis of whole-genome sequencing data provide unprecedented opportunities to characterize intraspecific genetic diversity, population structure and adaptive diversity in much greater detail. They also enable the reconstruction of recent demographic history, including patterns of inbreeding and changes in effective population size (Ne), thereby allowing the identification of populations that are particularly vulnerable.

OneBioNet-G: Genetic diversity of key species of invertebrates in small water bodies in Switzerland is a cross-measure project funded by the 2nd Swiss Biodiversity Action Plan (AP SBS II) of the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment’s (FOEN/BAFU). Our aim is to integrate genetic/genomic diversity across multiple aquatic invertebrates in Switzerland to understand their genetic composition and connectivity and to associate it with future climate and land-use change at large scale.

Responsibilities

• Establish and analyse genomic diversity of multiple aquatic keystone species in a spatially explicit approach.
• Perform de-novo sequencing and assembly of draft genomes for multiple aquatic insect (may-, stone, and caddisfly, EPT) and amphipod species.
• Establish genomic data for ~2,000 individuals across dozens of populations (using whole genome sequencing / ddRAD approaches).
• Infer genetic diversity, connectivity and adaptive genetic variation, including retrospective changes in inbreeding and effective populations sizes.
• Conduct spatially explicit analyses of the genetic/genomic diversity and associate it to river network topology, environmental variables and biogeographic drivers.
• Assess feasibility, strengths and potential limitations of population genomic monitoring approaches for a national genetic diversity monitoring program.
• Lead the analysis, implementation of these indices, and develop possible monitoring strategies for genetic monitoring together with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in Molecular Ecology, Ecology, Biodiversity Sciences or a closely related science field.
• Proven laboratory and bioinformatics experience in whole genome sequencing and/or ddRAD sequencing approaches.
• Knowledge on analysing genomic data.
• Experience in bioinformatics, spatial distribution modelling or programming is an asset.
• Strong conceptual background in molecular ecology and a good understanding of ecological theory and data analysis.
• Proven skills in scientific writing.
• Fluency in speaking and writing English is required. Additional German or French language skills are desirable for stakeholder interactions.

Benefits & Information

• The position is fully funded for three years and is expected to start in fall 2026.
• The project offers a high independence and leadership to the successful applicant.
• Based and hired at Eawag (Duebendorf, Switzerland).
• Collaborations with stakeholders at FOEN/BAFU, WSL, University of Lausanne and the Genetic Diversity Centre (GDC) at ETH Zurich.
• 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.