IAESTE Internships

Location

Switzerland

Internship type

ON-SITE

Reference number

CH-2025-000222

Students Requirements

General discipline

Biology
Microbiology

Completed Years of Study

2

Fields of Study

Languages

English Good (B1, B2)

German Good (B1, B2)

Required Knowledge and Experience

-

Other Requirements

-

Work Details

Duration

40 - 52 Weeks

Within These Dates

01.01.2025 - 31.03.2026

Holidays

NONE

Work Environment

-

Gross pay

2300 CHF / month

Working Hours

42.0 per week / 8.4 per day

Living Lodging

Type of Accommoditation

Employer

Cost of lodging

600 CHF / month

Cost of living

1650 CHF / month

Work Offered

Additional Info

Any student with Non-EU/EFTA nationality needs an official letter from their university, confirming that the internship is compulsory (required for visa/work permit).

Work description

Empa is a national research laboratory and part of the ETH Domain. We conduct cutting-edge materials and technology research, generating interdisciplinary solutions to major challenges faced by industry, and create the necessary scientific basis to ensure that our society develops in a sustainable manner.Wood decay fungi play an important role as recyclers of organic matter in the nutrient cycle. The risks of wood degradation by fungi are widely discussed, but little attention is given to the opportunity to apply wood decay fungi for wood functionalization, modification and/or wood protection. These techniques can make otherwise inexpensive and fast-growing types of wood, such as ash and beech, more attractive for furniture and other applications. We develop sustainable approaches to produce a hybrid living material with both living (fungi)) and nonliving elements (wood) that adds complexity and functionality to wood. We have shown that with knowledge of the co-evolutionary adaptation of a wood decay fungus to a wood substrate and by manipulating environmental conditions, we made it possible to trigger and standardize emission of bioluminescence. Energy savings and a decrease in CO2 emissions would arise from the sustainable production and use of bioluminescent wood to light up our houses and neighborhoods. You will be working in this field of research.Benefit: Half fare card

Deadline

23.10.2024