Research Scientist and Project Coordinator (m/f/d) in the field of Zooplankton Biodiversity

Senckenberg Society for Nature Research (SGN), headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, is seeking to fill the following position at its institute Senckenberg am Meer, German Centre for Marine Biodiversity Research in Hamburg, starting as soon as possible

 

Research Scientist  and Project Coordinator (m/f/d) in the field of Zooplankton Biodiversity (full time / part-time )

 

Location:                      Hamburg

Employment scope:     full-time / part-time options available

Type of contract:          temporary contract limited until 30.09.2029

Remuneration:             collective agreement of the state Hesse, TV-H E13



The Senckenberg Society for Nature Research is a member of the Leibniz Association and has been investigating the “Earth System” worldwide for more than 200 years, examining the past, analysing the present, and developing projections for the future. We conduct integrative geobiodiversity research with the aim of understanding nature in all its complexity and diversity in order to preserve it as the foundation of life for future generations and to ensure its sustainable use. Across eight institutes and five research stations throughout Germany, scientists from more than 40 countries conduct research at the highest international level. 

As part of the institute “Senckenberg am Meer” located in Wilhelmshaven, with its two departments Marine Research and German Centre for Marine Biodiversity Research (DZMB), the Hamburg research site, which belongs to the DZMB, focuses on researching taxonomy and systematics of marine life forms.

The position is based within the Zooplankton Working Group and is part of the joint project ZooM-In (Innovative Methods for National Zooplankton Monitoring), contributing to the further development and standardization of modern methods for marine biodiversity monitoring. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) through the National Biodiversity Monitoring Centre’s initiative Sustainable Biodiversity Monitoring.

The project will be carried out in close cooperation with the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB) as well as federal and state authorities.

Your tasks

• Project management of the project ZooM-In
• Organisation of and participation in monthly expeditions (March-October, 3-4 days per months) to the North Sea
• Organisation of project workshops
• Assessment of zooplankton biodiversity by imaging technologies
• Cross validation of zooplankton biodiversity assessment by traditional microscopy, molecular genetics and imaging methods
• Communication of project results to stakeholders
• Publication of project results in peer-reviewed journals
• Writing of a project report

Your profile

• Master degree in marine biology or natural sciences
• Expertise in the application of plankton imaging technologies (ZooScan and/or PlanktoScope)
• Relevant knowledge on molecular genetic analyses of organisms, ideally metabarcoding of zooplankton
• Experience in data analyses, preferably using R
• Experience with sea-going expeditions on research vessels and sampling of plankton, resilience to motion sickness
• Willingness to participate in interdisciplinary work
• Very good communication skills, ability to work in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary and international environment
• Very good command of English (written and spoken)
• Sound command of the German language is essential for this position

We offer

• access to an international network of scientists, policymakers and research organizations
• an attractive job within the inspired and dynamic working environment of an internationally recognized research institution
• flexible working hours – mobile working options – employee ID card  with free admission to Senckenberg museums – annual special payment – collectively agreed vacation entitlement  – company pension plan

Senckenberg is committed to diversity. We benefit from the different expertise, perspectives and personalities of our staff and welcome every application from qualified candidates, irrespective of age, gender, ethnic or cultural origin, religion and ideology, sexual orientation and identity or disability. Applicants with a severe disability will be given special consideration in case of equal suitability. Senckenberg actively supports the compatibility of work and family and places great emphasis on an equal and inclusive work culture.

How to apply?

Please upload your application (letter of motivation with a short description of your previous and current research foci, a CV, certificates of academic achievements, list of publications as well as letter(s) of recommendation, if available) (as a single PDF, max. 10 MB) on our career page https://www.senckenberg.de/de/karriere/ by 8 November 2026.

Please note that applications for this position can only be accepted if they are submitted via our online application portal. This ensures that your application is processed correctly and can be considered as part of the selection procedure. Applications sent by email to the Recruiting Team or directly to individual staff members cannot be considered.

For data protection information on the processing of personal data as part of the application and selection process, please refer to the privacy policy on our homepage at https://www.senckenberg.de/en/imprint/.

For further information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung please visit www.senckenberg.de. 

Contact

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt a.M.

 

If you have any specific questions about this role, please contact Prof. Dr. Jasmin Renz at jasmin.renz@senckenberg.de. 

Please note that applications for this position can only be accepted if they are submitted via our online application portal. This ensures that your application is processed correctly and can be considered as part of the selection procedure. Applications sent by email to the Recruiting Team or directly to individual staff members cannot be considered.

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN) mit Hauptsitz in Frankfurt am Main sucht zum 1.12.2026 für die Abteilung Zoologie am Standort Görlitz eine*n

 

wissenschaftliche(n) Projektkoordinator(in) (m/w/d)

als Elternzeitvertretung für das Projekt Sachsen Wolf

(Teilzeit /  62,5%)

Ort:                                     Görlitz

Beschäftigungsumfang:     Teilzeit (25 Stunden/Woche)

Vertragsart:                        Elternzeitvertretung, befristet für 1 Jahr

Vergütung:                         Tarifvertrag der Länder (TV-L) E13

 

Die Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung ist Teil der der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft und erforscht seit über 200 Jahren weltweit das „System Erde“ – in der Vergangenheit, der Gegenwart und mit Prognosen für die Zukunft. Wir betreiben integrative „Geobiodiversitätsforschung“ mit dem Ziel, die Natur mit ihrer unendlichen Vielfalt zu verstehen, um sie als Lebensgrundlage für zukünftige Generationen zu erhalten und nachhaltig zu nutzen. An acht Instituten sowie fünf Forschungsstationen bundesweit betreiben Wissenschaftler*innen aus über 40 Ländern Forschung auf Weltniveau.  Das traditionsreiche Senckenberg Museum für Naturkunde im historischen Stadtkern von Görlitz bietet Forschung auf Weltniveau, umfangreiche Sammlungen und ein spannendes Museumsprogramm. Die Oberlausitz lädt zur naturnahen Erholung ein.

Im Projekt SachsenWolf werden durch intensives Monitoring Populationsdaten (u.a. zu Verbreitung, Abundanz, Populationstruktur, Altersstruktur, Nahrungsökologie, Reproduktion) über die sächsischen Wolfspopulation erhoben und ausgewertet. Die Arbeitsschwerpunkte werden in enger Zusammenarbeit mit der Fachstelle Wolf des Sächsischen Landesamts für Umwelt, Landwirtschaft und Geologie (LfULG) und gemäß dem Managementplan für den Wolf in Sachsen durchgeführt. SMNG beteiligt sich seit mehr als 20 Jahren am Wolfsmonitoring, verfügt über umfangreiche Expertise auf diesem Gebiet und führt wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Wolf durch.

Ihre Aufgaben

• Organisation und fachliche Anleitung des Monitorings und der wissenschaftlichen Untersuchungen im Projekt „Sachsen Wolf“
• Durchführung wissenschaftlicher Studien und Publikation der Ergebnisse
• Durchführung der wissenschaftlichen Begleituntersuchungen (Nahrungsanalysen, Altersbestimmung, Analyse von Beuteresten, Hybridisierung)
• Teilnahme am Wolfsmonitoring im Feld
• Dokumentation und Aufbewahrung des projektbezogenen Monitoringmaterials in der Sammlung und Datenbanken
• Informationsaustausch mit  LfULG, Fachstelle Wolf und Naturschutzbehörden im Rahmen der wissenschaftlichen Untersuchungen
• Erstellung und Abstimmung von Projektberichten

Ihr Profil

• Biologie-Hochschulabschluss (vorzugsweise Ökologie o.ä.) und Promotion
• Erfahrungen im Monitoring von Wildtieren oder Projekten mit Bezug zu Wirbeltieren
• Erfahrung in der Koordination, Abwicklung und Berichterstattung Projekten und der Zusammenarbeit mit Behörden
• Erfahrung bei der wissenschaftlichen Datenerfassung, Auswertung und wissenschaftlichem Publizieren in internationalen wissenschaftlichen Zeitschriften
• Erfahrung in der Anwendung von Monitoringmethoden, v.a. Kamerafallen
• Erfahrung in der Berichterstattung von Drittmittel-Projekten

Wünschenswert

• Erfahrungen in der Nutzung von Kamerafallen und deren Datenauswertung
• routinierte Anwendung von Datenverarbeitungssystemen (excel, access) GIS (QGIS) und R
• PKW-Führerschein

Wir bieten

• Zugang zu einem internationalen Netzwerk von Wissenschaftler*innen, politischen Entscheidungsträger*innen und Forschungsorganisationen
• eine attraktive Tätigkeit im dynamischen Arbeitsumfeld einer weltweit anerkannten Forschungseinrichtung
• flexible Arbeitszeiten – mobiles Arbeiten – einen Dienstausweis in Verbindung mit kostenfreiem Eintritt in Senckenberg-Museen – eine tarifliche Jahressonderzahlung – tariflichen Urlaubsanspruch – betriebliche Altersvorsorge

Senckenberg engagiert sich für Vielfalt. Wir profitieren von den unterschiedlichen Expertisen, Perspektiven und Persönlichkeiten unserer Mitarbeiter*innen und freuen uns über jede Bewerbung qualifizierter Kandidat*innen, unabhängig von Alter, Geschlecht oder geschlechtlicher Identität, ethnischer oder kultureller Herkunft, Religion und Weltanschauung, sexueller Orientierung und Identität oder Behinderung. Bewerber*innen mit einer Schwerbehinderung werden bei gleicher Eignung besonders berücksichtigt. Senckenberg unterstützt aktiv die Vereinbarkeit von Beruf und Familie und legt großen Wert auf eine gleichberechtigte und inklusive Kultur der Zusammenarbeit.

Sie möchten sich bewerben?

Dann laden Sie uns bitte Ihre vollständigen und aussagekräftigen Bewerbungsunterlagen (Motivationsschreiben mit kurzer Beschreibung der bereits abgeschlossenen und aktuellen Forschung, Lebenslauf, akademische Zeugnisse, Publikationsliste und, falls vorhanden, Empfehlungsschreiben) in elektronischer Form als zusammenhängende PDF-Datei bis zum 16.10.2026 auf der Karriereseite unserer Website hoch https://www.senckenberg.de/de/stellenanzeigen/

Datenschutzrechtliche Hinweise zur Verarbeitung personenbezogener Daten im Rahmen des Bewerbungs- und Auswahlverfahrens entnehmen Sie bitte der Datenschutzerklärung auf unserer Homepage unter https://www.senckenberg.de/de/impressum/

Weitere Informationen über die Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung finden Sie unter www.senckenberg.de.

Kontakt

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt a.M.

Für fachliche Rückfragen zur Stelle steht Ihnen Herr Prof. Dr. Hjalmar Kühl unter hjalmar.kuehl@senckenberg.de sehr gerne zur Verfügung.

Senckenberg Society for Nature Research (SGN), headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, is seeking to fill the following position at the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz, ideally as of April 1, 2027:

 

Research Scientist and Curator (m/f/d) of the section Vertebrata (Tenure Track)

(full time / part time options available)

 

Location:                       Görlitz

Employment scope:      full time / part time options are available

Type of contract:           initially limited to three years; 

the type of time limitation depends on individual profile and legal framework (maximum 3+3 years). A permanent employment is planned after a positive evaluation

Remuneration:             collective agreement of the German Länder, TV-L E13

 

The Senckenberg Society for Nature Research is a member of the Leibniz Association and has been investigating the “Earth System” worldwide for more than 200 years, examining the past, analysing the present, and developing projections for the future. We conduct integrative geobiodiversity research with the aim of understanding nature in all its complexity and diversity in order to preserve it as the foundation of life for future generations and to ensure its sustainable use. Across eight institutes and five research stations throughout Germany, scientists from more than 40 countries conduct research at the highest international level.

The renowned Senckenberg Museum of Natural History, located in the medieval town of Görlitz, combines research at an international level with extensive collections and an engaging museum programme. The surrounding Upper Lusatia region offers a large variety of opportunities for experiencing nature.

Senckenberg is committed to study the causes and effects of biodiversity loss in the Anthropocene. As part of our strategic development, we launched an ambitious long-term research effort in “Anthropocene Biodiversity Loss” encompassing the modules “Collectomics”, “Biodiversity Genomics”, and “Solution Labs”. Objectives include the transformation of natural history collections into the digital era, studying biodiversity from the genome to the ecosystem levels and offering exploratory spaces for science and society to develop common solutions to Anthropocene challenges.

For the Görlitz vertebrate collection, which comprises approximately 70,000 specimens (preserved using dry, cryogenic, and liquid preservation methods, with the focus on mammals; birds make up a smaller proportion, while other vertebrate groups represent only a small fraction), we are seeking an internationally recognized scientist with a solid track record in mammal research, possibly supplemented by work on another vertebrate groups.

Potential research topics may include various aspects such as mammalian diversity, functional morphology, phylogeny, or biological interactions. Curation and collection-based research should play a significant role in the applicant’s research approach. The selected candidate should be open to research collaborations with SGN colleagues

Your tasks

• Scientific curation and development of the vertebrate collection and the associated resources as an important international research infrastructure through international networking, growth, and improved accessibility.
• Develop a visible portfolio of collection-based research with basic and applied aspects in the broad field of mammalogy and possibly other vertebrate groups by using a range of established and innovative methods and approaches.
• Taking responsibility for the relocation of the collection items, including the infrastructure of the Mammalogy/Vertebrate Section, to the new campus at Bahnhofstraße 30 at Görlitz.
• Secure external research funds.
• Publish results of your research in international scientific outlets.
• Establish collaborations with ongoing projects, regional and national (region (e.g., long-term projects on wolf, lynx) and international (e.g., Africa, Mongolia), including with other sections and departments in Görlitz and further Senckenberg institutes.
• Communicate with external stakeholders such as scientific associations, conservation agencies, local and regional authorities, as well as citizen scientists.
• Participate in teaching in the MSc level programmes of International Institute Zittau/ Dresden University of Technology.

Your profile

• Doctoral degree in biology/zoology or a related field
• Expert knowledge of mammals, including native species (the biogeographic focus of the mammal collection is currently the Palearctic), additional expertise in other vertebrate groups
• Proactive willingness to implement innovative research approaches, such as in the field of genomics, morphometrics, AI, imaging, 3D methods, pollutant analysis in a collection context
• Ability to identify attractive research questions and make use of synergies through collaborations
• Excellent academic track record adequate to your career stage
• Experience in the acquisition of third-party funding and project management
• Experience in supervising staff (doctoral candidates, BSc., MSc., students, technical staff), ability to work in a team
• Very good command of German (B2)
• Fluency in English, both spoken and written
• Class B driving licence (international driving licence)
• Willingness to travel on occasion to the extent possible considering your personal circumstances

Desirable skills

• Knowledge in molecular, biochemical or biophysical techniques in taxonomy and ecology
• Knowledge in research data management and databases
• Experience in curation and management of zoological collections, and in museum work

We offer

• Access to an international network of scientists, policymakers and research organizations
• An attractive job within the inspiring and dynamic working environment of an internationally recognized research institution with excellent infrastructures and collaborations opportunities, e. g. in morphology, genomics, evolutionary biology, (paleo-)ecology
• A working place in completely new building with dissection and other laboratories, collection rooms, in the historic town of Görlitz with rapidly developing local research community (DZA, CASUS, IHI/TUD, HiLusatia), yet situated very close to nature with high mammal diversity and opportunities for field work
• Opportunities to participate in teaching and outreach activities, e.g., in our museum and with collaborating universities
• Opportunities for establishing an independent academic working group and acquiring further academic qualifications
• Flexible working hours – mobile working options – employee ID card with free admission to Senckenberg museums – annual special payment – collectively agreed vacation entitlement  – company pension plan

Senckenberg is committed to diversity. We benefit from the different expertise, perspectives and personalities of our staff and welcome every application from qualified candidates, irrespective of age, gender, ethnic or cultural origin, religion and ideology, sexual orientation and identity or disability. Women are particularly encouraged to apply as they are underrepresented in the field of this position; in the case of equal qualifications and suitability, they will be given preference. Applicants with a severe disability will be given special consideration in case of equal suitability. Senckenberg actively supports the compatibility of work and family and places great emphasis on an equal and inclusive work culture.

How to apply?

Please upload your application (letter of motivation with a short description of your previous and current research foci, a CV, certificates of academic achievements, list of publications as well as letter(s) of recommendation, if available) as a single PDF file by November 10, 2026. https://www.senckenberg.de/de/stellenanzeigen/

For data protection information on the processing of personal data as part of the application and selection process, please refer to the privacy policy on our homepage at https://www.senckenberg.de/en/imprint/

For further information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung please visit www.senckenberg.de

Contact

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt a.M.

 

For specific questions about this role please contact Prof. Dr. Hjalmar S. Kühl.

E-Mail hjalmar.kuehl@senckenberg.de