The Swiss Ornithological Institute is a non-profit foundation for ornithology and bird conservation that combines basic research, applied research and practical implementation under one roof. More than 200 permanent employees and 70 temporary staff are involved in a wide range of tasks for the benefit of birds.
The research project ‘Seed dispersal by nutcrackers’ aims to investigate the role of young nutcrackers in the establishment and spread of Swiss stone pine. To this end, nutcrackers are caught and equipped with GPS transmitters. The analysis of the movement data will provide insights into the hiding behaviour of nutcrackers and show how the hiding behaviour, migration, reproduction and survival of young birds affect the establishment of Swiss stone pines.
Are you looking for an exciting and varied temporary position within a motivated and dynamic team? To support our project from 1 February 2026 to 30 September 2026, we are seeking two
intern for a study on seed dispersal by nutcrackers
80% - 100%
Your tasks
• Assisting with the search for Swiss nutcracker nests in alpine forests and the installation of nest cameras.
• Helping to catch and fit GPS transmitters to spotted nutcrackers.
• Locating deceased birds fitted with transmitters and determining the causes of death.
• Carrying out independent fieldwork as part of a small team in alpine terrain, sometimes off the beaten track.
• Application of various methodologies such as telemetry, habitat surveys, camera traps and acoustic loggers.
• Data entry and processing of various data types in R, QField, QGIS and Excel.
Your profile
• You are interested in working with birds and their ecosystem functions.
• Ideally, you have experience in catching and handling birds (Japanese nets) and tree climbing.
• You have mountain experience and possess a high level of physical stamina and the ability to navigate rough terrain.
• You have experience with snowshoes or touring skis and assessing the associated risks.
• You enjoy working independently, but are also open to input from your team.
• Flexible working hours are a welcome change for you.
• You hold a Category B driving licence and, ideally, can communicate in German.
We offer
An interesting work placement awaits you in a varied environment with an informal, first-name-only culture. The role involves both working independently and collaborating within a small team. Accommodation in the Davos area and a company car will be provided. Excellent opportunities for further training and exemplary employee benefits round off what we have to offer.
The place of work is Davos, GR.
Are you interested?
Diversity within the workforce is important to the Swiss Ornithological Institute. We therefore welcome all qualified applications. For further information, please contact Dr Matthias Tschumi, Ecological Research. We look forward to receiving your complete online application (cover letter, CV, certificates) by 13 December 2026 at the latest, in a single PDF file via our application portal. Applications submitted in any other format cannot be considered.
Interviews will take place online on 16 and 17 December 2026, by invitation.
