Jobs for Scientists

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN) was founded in 1817 and is one of the most important research institutions in the field of biodiversity. At its twelve locations throughout Germany, scientists from almost 40 nations conduct cutting-edge research on an international scale. The Society’s headquarter is in the Main metropolis of Frankfurt in the heart of Germany. This is also where one of the best-known Senckenberg facilities, the Senckenberg Natural History Museum, is located.

For the research project RUBBLE (Rocky seafloor — Underestimated driver for Benthic Biodiversity Living in the abyss and its Evolution), including a 6-weeks deep-sea expedition with RV METEOR, we are looking for a

Marine Biologist for Habitat / Biotope Characterization and Biodiversity Modelling (m/w/d)

(full time / part time is possible)

in the Marine Zoology Division at our location in Frankfurt, starting on 1^st of October 2024.

Tasks:

• Participation in an approx. 6-weeks deep-sea expedition with RV METEOR in late 2024
• Support of the operation of a camera system for deep-sea missions and seafloor sampling (incl. sample processing on board and in the laboratory of the home institute)
• Data analyses, with the aim of characterization and reconstruction of seafloor habitats and biotopes (own interpretation and/or with geological and biological collaborators)
• Analyse the distribution patterns of megafauna and their traces from seafloor images as well as selected macrofauna (e.g. isopod crustaceans) from seafloor samples to understand the correlation between communities and substrate types in the abyss, as well as the extent to which benthic communities depend on physical factors.
• Link abiotic terrain variables to distinct faunal assemblages to predict faunal assemblage distributions, specifically, to test whether species distributions correlate with occurrences of one or several habitat types, ultimately to make assumptions about benthic biodiversity based on ship-based habitat characterization.
• Integration of taxon-distribution and biodiversity data with sediment and other seafloor characteristics into the biotope characterization and habitat / biodiversity modelling.
• Quantitative assessment of habitat distribution and associated seafloor communities using predictive models.

 Your Profile:

• A university degree, preferably with a Ph.D. / doctorate, in marine biology or related fields.
• Fluent proficiency in English, encompassing speaking and writing competencies.
• Biodiversity modelling experience.
• Extensive training in GIS methods.
• Knowledge data visualization tools.
• Rapid uptake of new (IT) methods and proficiency in image processing, analysis and relevant software.
• Strong communication skills both in-person and online.
• Excellent self-management skills and flexibility to accommodate evolving project requirement and upcoming obstacles.

 What can you expect?

• A vibrant, international team of scientists with collection-based research programs, focused on curiosity-driven research and the preservation of Earth’s biodiversity
• Excellent infrastructures and collaborations opportunities, e. g. in morphology, genomics, evolutionary biology, (paleo-)ecology
• An attractive and challenging position in a research institution of international standing
• Opportunities to participate in teaching and outreach activities, e.g. in our museum and with collaborating universities
• A salary that reflects the responsibilities of the position and the experience of the candidate, based on the collective agreement for public service in the state of Hesse
• Life in a vibrant, internationally-minded city (population 750.000), a global hub for transport and culture
• Flexible working hours – annual special payment – company pension scheme – 30 days holidays – discounted public transportation in the Rhein-Main area –support for work/life balance (certified by “audit berufundfamilie”).

Place of employment:         Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Working hours:                     full time / part time is possible (minimum 20 hours/week)
Type of contract:                   limited for a period of 18 months, according to the availability of third-party funding
Salary:                                       according to the German collective agreement of the State of Hesse (pay grade E 13, TV-H)

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 disabilities (“Schwerbehinderung”) will be given preferential 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 send us your application documents containing

• a letter of motivation
• a CV with publication list and contact information for at least two references
• a summary of previous research experience (max 1 page)
• copies of PhD and MSc certificates

in electronic form (as a single PDF file) by 11^th of August 2024 to recruiting@senckenberg.de quoting the reference number ref. #01-24030 or apply directly on our homepage using the online application form.

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
Senckenberganlage 25
60325 Frankfurt a.M.
E-Mail: recruiting@senckenberg.de

For more information, please contact Dr. Torben Riehl via email: torben.riehl@senckenberg.de

Further information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung can be found at www.senckenberg.de.

 

 

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung headquartered in Frankfurt am Main invites applications for a BMBF and NWO funded project at its site Senckenberg am Meer, Meeresforschung section Actuopalaeontology, in Wilhelmshaven starting in September 2024

 

PostDoc position in Geosciences

(full time / part-time options available)

 

The trilateral collaborative project WADWAD (WAD was? WAD can we do?) is funded by the BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research) and the NWO (Dutch Research Council) to the sum of € 2.3 million, and is conducted in collaboration with partner institutions in Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark. Over a four-year period, a transdisciplinary approach will be employed to develop solutions for a trilateral action plan to identify innovative, climate-resilient and ecosystem-based land-sea transition zones. The development of this trilateral action plan will be informed by the insights of various scientific disciplines, the expertise of decision-makers from political, administrative and managerial backgrounds, and the perspectives of local coastal communities. The focus will be on the generation of knowledge about the regional implications of the intricate interactions between sediment dynamics, climate change and ecosystem losses. This will enable the development of ecosystem-based adaptation scenarios, which will provide specific, local solutions to the challenges posed by sea-level rise and climate change.

 

Senckenberg am Meer is focusing its efforts within the WADWAD network on the decoupling of sedimentary processes through the construction of dikes and other coastal protection measures, as well as the loss of the immediate land-sea transition zone, which is known as the “Wadden Sea squeeze”.

 

Your tasks

• Evaluation of the current data set of Holocene coastal sequences
• Extensive GIS and borehole database analysis in close collaboration with the geoinformatics staff of our local partner institute, NIhK (Lower Saxony Institute for Historical Coastal Research)
• Development of data-specific GIS concepts (e.g. heat maps)
• Participation at stakeholder workshops to present and disseminate geoscientific knowledge
• Writing scientific publications in international, peer-reviewed journals
• Participation in project and network coordination tasks (e.g. for online meetings, site inspections, writing workshops)
• Preparing interim and final reports
• Supervising bachelor and master students / candidates

  

Essential skills and qualifications

• A completed PhD in geosciences, with a particular focus on coastal geology, sedimentology, and morphodynamics
• Extensive knowledge of coastal geological processes
• Extensive experience with GIS software and geodata bases
• Experience in knowledge transfer, communication with stakeholders, and willingness to engage in transdisciplinary collaboration
• Proficiency in English (in speech and writing)

 

Desirable skills

• (German) driving licence (class B)
• German language skills (in speech and writing)
• Willingness to travel occasionally (two-days / three-days journeys) to our partners in the Netherlands and Denmark

 

We offer

• an attractive and interesting job in a globally recognized research institution
• independent work in an international, motivated and professional environment
• flexible working hours – support with childcare or caring for family members (certified by the “audit berufundfamilie”) – a company badge – a collectively agreed special annual payment – collectively agreed vacation entitlement – company pension plan

 

 

Place of employment:          Wilhelmshaven

Working hours:                    Full time / part time options are available (minimum 75%)

Type of contract:                  Start is ideally in September 2024. You will receive a fixed-term contract until 31 May 2028.

Salary:                                   According to the collective agreement of the State of Hesse (pay grade E 13, TV-H)

 

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 disabilities (“Schwerbehinderung”) will be given preferential 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.

 

 

You would like to apply?

Then please send your complete and informative application documents (as a single PDF-file):

• a cover letter detailing research interests and experience (max. one page)
• a detailed CV
• copy of your transcripts / academic certification
• contact details of two potential academic referees
• copies of up to two representative publications 

by July 21, 2024 to recruiting@senckenberg.de, quoting the reference number

#02-24002, or please apply directly on our homepage using the online application form:

Apply Online | Senckenberg Society for Nature Research

 

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt am Main

E-Mail: recruiting@senckenberg.de

 

Für specific questions regarding this role please contact Dr. Achim Wehrmann (section lead), achim.wehrmann@senckenberg.de.

For more information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung please go to: www.senckenberg.de.

 

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN) was founded in 1817 and is one of the most important research institutions around biological diversity. At the eleven locations throughout Germany, scientists from over 40 nations conduct cutting-edge research on an international scale. Senckenberg am Meer in the port city of Wilhelmshaven is the northernmost institute. It cooperates with important research institutions in German marine research as well as colleges and universities. Located directly on the North Sea, the Wilhelmshaven site also offers local recreation in unspoiled nature as well as a wide range of cultural activities.