Internship in biodiversity assessment using environmental DNA applied to agriculture

17 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

ETH Zürich

Research Field

Agricultural sciences » Other
Biological sciences » Other
Environmental science » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Switzerland

Application Deadline

16 May 2024 – 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Part-time

Hours Per Week

41

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Internship in biodiversity assessment using environmental DNA applied to agriculture

The Department of Environmental Systems Science (D-​USYS) at ETH Zurich conducts research on the condition and functions of environmental systems and develops solutions and methods for managing them on a sustainable basis.

The Ecosystem Landscape and Evolution Lab is an international research team with diverse scientific expertise and backgrounds, connected by the goal to understand and map biodiversity.

AXA Climate Agriculture is based in Zurich and is active in over 40 countries. AXA Climate’s purpose is to help Planet Earth become a true stakeholder of all companies, in the same way that employees, customers and shareholders are.

In the context of this partnership, the recruited intern will split their time between ETHZ and AXA Climate, both institutions being based in the center of Zürich, Switzerland.

Project background

AXA Climate and ETHZ are looking for a joint intern who will support applied research in the domain of agriculture and biodiversity risk management for a duration of six months.

Agricultural activities are both vital for sustaining the global populations, but are also negatively impacting biodiversity worldwide. Hence, sustainable goals should be reached that allows agriculture to co-exist with biodiversity. The coexistence between farming and wildlife can be achieved on the alpha and beta niches, either having agricultural practice that allow for within-site biodiversity by being extensive (and thus less productive) or by having some aspect of the land very productive and intense, while leaving part of the land aside for biodiversity to thrive. The ongoing agricultural transition is focused on these two aspects, but we currently lack efficient methods to monitor the effectiveness of these solutions as regard to biodiversity and other services provided by farmlands (agricultural products productions, carbon storage etc. The general objective of the internship is to assess the potential of eDNA for evaluating the biodiversity of farmlands.

Job description

• Perform a literature review on farm-level biodiversity monitoring schemes and indices
• Develop a sampling strategy at the farm level for biodiversity using environmental DNA
• Test eDNA collection methods adapted to crops and grasslands and target taxonomic groups
• Assess the potential for fast reporting of biodiversity quality of farmed surfaces
• Evaluate how to summarize multi-dimensional biodiversity information into a quality index

Your profile

• You have a background in biology and agriculture science
• You are skilled in data analysis with R
• You have experience in field sampling
• You have good communication skills and experience with science outreach
• You are fluent in one of the Swiss languages and speak English as a second language

We offer

A six month paid internship position with the possibility to learn a variety of skills from field sampling design, execution, data analysis and reporting at the interface between the public and private sector.

The starting date is as soon as possible and the position is for a duration of six months. The salary is according to ETH salary regulation for internships.

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

We value diversity
In line with our values , ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.
Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your statement of interest with a short CV describing your relevant experience via this online application portal as soon as possible. 

Further information about the ELE laboratory can be found on our website . Questions regarding the position can be directed to Dr. Camille Albouy via [email protected] .

 

About ETH Zürich
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in
science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education,
cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge
into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our
university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an
environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe,
yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to
develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.
Requirements

Research Field

Agricultural sciences

Years of Research Experience

1 – 4

Research Field

Biological sciences

Years of Research Experience

1 – 4

Research Field

Environmental science

Years of Research Experience

1 – 4

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://academicpositions.com

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

ETH Zürich

Country

Switzerland

City

Zurich

Postal Code

8006

Street

Rämistrasse 101

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://academicpositions.com/ad/eth-zurich/2024/internship-in-biodiversity-ass…

Contact

City

Zurich

Website

https://ethz.ch/en.html

Postal Code

8006

STATUS: EXPIRED