The Department of Environmental Microbiology (Umik) and Urban Drainage (SWW) are looking for a

For the surveillance of infectious disease agents in wastewater in Switzerland

Wastewater-based surveillance of infectious diseases has emerged as a primary surveillance tool to inform public health in Switzerland. Initiated to monitor SARS-CoV-2 during the Covid-19 pandemic, wastewater surveillance has expanded to target multiple infectious diseases through both routine and reactive surveillance. Our work has led to long-term, historically comparable time series data on respiratory pathogens Influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater from wastewater treatment plants across Switzerland, translation of the data into wastewater-derived effective reproduction numbers, and genomic time series data on SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, and RSV from wastewater (wise.ethz.ch).

Within this context, we have developed and maintained substantial data infrastructure for the collection, storage, visualization, and analysis of our data. The advertised position is focused on collating, analysing, and interpreting data generated through the project, supporting database development and management, and transferring knowledge to relevant stakeholders. The position will include data visualization for communication. The position FTE is flexible and offered at 50-100%. The initial duration of employment is for a period of one year, with the expectation of renewal. Applicants may include their preference in the cover letter. The goal of the project is to advance environmental surveillance of wastewater to inform trajectory of pathogens in Switzerland.

If you are excited about this topic, and you hold a M.Sc. – or equivalent experience, e.g. from industry or as member of a research laboratory team – in statistics, data science, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, public health, or related field with substantial statistics, data analytics experience and database development experience, you are invited to apply. Prior experiencing working in biological or environmental contexts is beneficial, but not necessary. We offer a very dynamic and collaborative research environment, which profits from state-of-the-art infrastructure and support. Therefore, we expect you can integrate well in our interdisciplinary team environment and also work independently (both at Eawag as well as in home office). It is very likely you will interact with multiple academic, government, and non-government institutional collaborators, including leading international researchers in the field. Hence, prior experience with stakeholder engagement, including education and training is a strong asset. The working languages are English and German, knowledge of additional languages is beneficial. Experience in R, Python, and SQL are required. The intended project start date is as soon as possible, dependent on availability of the candidate.

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis and accepted until position is filled. Please include a letter of motivation (1 page max.) explaining why you think you fit this position well, a CV (including publication list and other relevant achievements), and the names and contact information of two references.

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.

For further information, please contact Dr Christoph Ort (christoph.ort@eawag.ch) or Dr Tim Julian (tim.julian@eawag.ch).

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.

Applications from employment agencies/personnel consultants are not welcome and will not be considered.