Tirocinante Nel Campo Dell’ecologia Delle Acque

Bozen/Bolzano
internship

Institute for Alpine Environment

The Institute for Alpine Environment performs problem-oriented research of mountain environments in the fields of landscape ecology, global change, biodiversity, ecosystem services and sustainable development. The person we are looking for will support our team in the field of Ecology of running-waters within the “Biodiversity Monitoring South Tyrol” (BMS).

For the surveys of aquatic environments with a focus on running-waters, around 50 sites will be visited, collecting benthic macroinvertebrates, water samples, and measuring abiotic parameters in spring/summer 2025. In addition to the fieldwork, the person we are looking for will process the collected samples in the lab, assist in the sorting and identification of the benthic macroinvertebrate samples, and analyze water samples for different chemical parameters through the use of a spectrophotometer. Investigation area will be the whole region of South Tyrol (ITA), working location is Bozen/Bolzano.

BMS is an ongoing survey of biodiversity that serves as basic research, but it is also intended to provide a scientific base for political decisions concerning spatial planning, agriculture, and nature conservation. BMS surveys animal and plant groups that react sensitively to climate and/or land-use changes, at habitat and landscape level. These surveys occur in 320 terrestrial and more than 120 aquatic sites distributed over the entire province of South Tyrol (7400 km²), including a large share of the diversity of habitats in the region. For details please consult our webpage biodiversity.eurac.edu

**Tasks**:

- Support in limnological fieldwork campaign for the season 2025 (macrozoobenthos, set of abiotic water parameters);
- Sorting & identification of macrozoobenthos to family and genus level;
- Perform and support chemical analyses of water samples following detailed protocols (using a spectrophotometer);
- Support in digitalization and management of field data;
- Support of field work for other taxonomical groups, (e.g., mounting bat detectors, installing pitfall traps, collecting soil samples) and for other ongoing projects dealing with microplastics in freshwater ecosystems (PlasticFree, ERDF/FESR - 1018).

**Requirements**:

- Bachelor/master’s degree in Biology or Environmental Science with at least one concluded course in limnology (or master degree obtained not more than one year ago);
- Willingness and ability to work in Alpine areas;
- Knowledge of the aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna of the Alpine area;
- Previous experience in fieldwork campaigns and/or in a laboratory are advantageous;
- Good English skills, additional skills in German and Italian are advantageous;
- Ability to work autonomously and in a team.

We offer:

- Paid internship for 3-6 months (spring - autumn 2025);
- Opportunity to collaborate for a master thesis;
- Opportunity to work in a young interdisciplinary team;
- Physically demanding fieldwork in astonishing landscapes;
- Attractive living and working conditions (certified “Great Place to Work©”).

How to apply:

- Company: Eurac Research- Location: Bozen/Bolzano
- Contact person: Vanek Magdalena
Phone number: +39 0471 055 831