Department Aquatic Ecology

The Department of Aquatic Ecology embraces equity, diversity and inclusiveness by actively promoting equal oppurtunities for underrepresented minorities and by 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, professional and organisational growth.

We emphasize strong theoretical and empirical research on environmentally relevant issues with broad national and international interest. Collaborations with other Eawag departments in interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary projects are maintained and we work with numerous collaborators both within Switzerland and internationally. 

Our academic staff is supported by excellent technical staff and cutting-edge infrastructure. We have laboratories and staff at both locations, Dubendorf near Zurich and Kastanienbaum near Lucerne. Training for both PhD and Masters students is provided through opportunities in our research projects. Most of our graduate students are enrolled at ETH Zurich, where they are affiliated with the Institute of Integrative Biology (IBZ) of the Department of Environmental System Sciences (D-USYS) or at University of Zurich in the Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies (IEU). All graduate students are highly encouraged to be part of the Life Science Zurich Graduate School.

We also teach undergraduate and graduate students majoring in environmental sciences and biology, primarily at ETH Zurich. If you are interested in doing your PhD, your master or diploma thesis in our department, please have a closer look at the group sites.

• Spatial Dynamics
• Host-Parasite Coevolutionary Dynamics
• Algal Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning
• Phytoplankton Ecology
• Stream Ecology
• Zooplankton Ecology and Evolution
• Evolutionary Ecology
• Adaptation & Conservation Genomics