Scientific Associate in the field of ecological restoration of hydropower

Ittigen, Switzerland (and home office) | 80-100%

Your contribution

• Handle the evaluation and financing of restoration projects in the field of fish migration in the responsible Cantons (French-speaking Switzerland and German-speaking Switzerland)
• Provide support and advice to the responsible Cantons (and other interest groups) regarding fish migration (French-speaking Switzerland and German-speaking Switzerland)
• Act, as a specialist and contact person, as a technical interlocutor for issues relating to the ecological restoration of obstacles to fish migration (barriers, hydroelectric plants, locks, weirs, etc.)
• Coordinate energy policy dossiers in the Water division and represent it in internal and external bodies
• Collaborate on the preparation and further development of executive bases relating to the financing of restoration measures (fish migration, discontinuous flows, bedload balance) and provide advice on issues relating to the financing of restoration projects
• Manage political issues relating to the financing of hydropower restoration

What distinguishes you

• University degree or degree from a university of applied sciences in water ecology (biology, environmental sciences, environmental engineering) or training as a hydraulic engineer, with good knowledge in the field of water ecology and/or fisheries
• Professional experience in the field of water ecology (design, supervision, or implementation of projects), if possible in the field of ecological restoration of hydropower
• Experience and interest in the field of energy policy and financial law
• Professional experience and in project management in a scientific, administrative or specialized service setting
• Autonomous way of working oriented towards goals and solutions, good communication skills and team spirit
• Good active knowledge of at least one second official language and, if possible, knowledge of a third

In summary

You will contribute significantly to making the use of hydropower sustainable and to promoting the targeted and effective restoration of fish migration.

What we offer

• Working for Switzerland We strive for the Swiss success model and work for the well-being of the population.
• Living diversity The realization of equal opportunities allows us to express our skills in the best possible way and to consider different points of view.
• Fit in the workplace We provide support and advice to our employees on the topic of physical and mental health.

All benefits (https://www.stelle.admin.ch/stelle/it/home/bundesverwaltung/ihre-vorteile-auf-einen-blick.html)

We safeguard the quality of life of today and tomorrow.

The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) is responsible for the sustainable use of natural resources such as soil, water, air and forest, for protection against natural hazards and for the maintenance of biodiversity. The FOEN is part of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC).

We care about the Switzerland of today and tomorrow and we take responsibility for the successful development of our country through challenging projects. The FOEN offers the opportunity to contribute significantly to a sustainable Switzerland within a modern working environment.

Complementary information

Start of service: 01.11.2026 or a date to be agreed.

Questions about the workplace

Monika Schaffner
Head of section (co-management)/ Hydropower Restoration Section
+41 58 464 77 81