For the surveillance of infectious disease agents including SARS-CoV-2 and Variants of Concern in wastewater.

Throughout the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Switzerland, we have been actively monitoring wastewater for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Our work has led to time series data on SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater from six wastewater treatment plants across Switzerland, translation of the data into wastewater-derived effective reproduction numbers, and time series data on SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern from wastewater (https://www.eawag.ch/covid19_sewage). We are also actively working on faster, sequence-independent approaches for detection of Variants of Concern in wastewater.

Within this context, we are developing and applying methods for detection, quantification, and sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 and related infectious disease agents in wastewater. The advertised position is focused on collating, analysing, and interpreting data generated through the project, and transferring knowledge to relevant stakeholders. The position FTE is flexible and offered at 50-100%. The goal of the project is to advance environmental surveillance of wastewater to inform trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 and related 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, 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. The intended project start date is as soon as possible, dependent on availability of the candidate.

Applications are welcome by 15 October 2021 but 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 and your preferred level of employment, a CV (including publication list and other relevant achievements), and the names and contact information of two references.

Eawag is a modern employer and offers an excellent working environment where staff can contribute their strengths, experience and ways of thinking. We promote gender equality and are committed to staff diversity and inclusion. The compatibility of career and family is of central importance to us. For more information about Eawag and our work conditions please consult www.eawag.ch and www.eawag.ch/en/aboutus/working/employment

For further information, please contact Dr Christoph Ort or Dr Tim Julian.

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 evaluated.