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 eleven locations throughout Germany, scientists from over 40 nations conduct cutting-edge research at an international level. This also includes the unique fossil site and UNESCO World Heritage Site “Grube Messel”.

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, based in Frankfurt am Main, is seeking to fill the following position for its Messel Site

 

PhD Position / Research Assistant (m/f/d) in paleoentomology and paleobiology

 (part-time 65% / limited to 3 years)

 

The paleoentomological working group at the Senckenberg Forschungsstation Grube Messel is seeking a highly motivated PhD student (m/f/d) to conduct research on a DFG-funded project on the paleodiversity of Paleogene hymenopteran insects and their interactions with flowers.

The PhD student (m/f/d) will investigate the evolution of insect-flower interactions and the paleoecology of selected groups of hymenopteran insects from the UNESCO world heritage site “Grube Messel” (“Messel Pit”), which has an Eocene age, and from the Oligocene fossil site “Enspel”. The paleobiodiversity of selected hymenopterans will be investigated in close comparison to extant taxa, providing a timeline for analysis. By investigating in-situ pollen grains preserved on or in the bodies of the hymenopterans, the project aims to infer on their ecology, e.g. concerning foraging behavior, feeding behavior, and potential pollination biology. The project will be conducted within an interdisciplinary collaboration framework.

 

Responsibilities

• research on selected groups of hymenopteran insects from the fossil sites Messel and Enspel
• (learn to) analyse different hymenopteran groups with geometric morphometrics
• (learn to) analyse and investigate in-situ pollen grains
• publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at conferences
• collaborate with other working groups and other researchers involved in the project

 

Your profile

• Master’s degree in paleontology, biology or a related field
• Background in paleoentomology is desirable but not mandatory
• Good communication skills in English, both written and verbal
• Knowledge of German is advantageous
• Computer literacy, specifically skillful use of MS office packages, graphics software
• Documented interest in entomology and pollination biology in the widest sense
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

 

We offer you

• a challenging and rewarding research project in the field of paleoecology and paleoentomology
• opportunities to present research findings at conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals
• Flexible working hours – leave of absence due to family reasons (“audit berufundfamilie”) – annual special payment – company pension scheme – Senckenberg badge for free entry in museums in Frankfurt, the Zoo,  and Palmengarten – leave of 30 days/year

 

Place of employment: Messel (Hesse)

Working hours: Part time (65%)

Type of contract:  Limited for 3 years, starting ideally March 2024

Salary:  According to the German collective agreement TV-H (pay grade E 13)

 

Senckenberg is committed to diversity. We benefit from the different skills, perspectives and personalities of our employees and welcome every application from qualified applicants, regardless 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 if equally qualified. Senckenberg actively supports the compatibility of work and family life and attaches great importance to an equal and inclusive work culture.

 

You would like to apply?

Then please send us your complete and informative application documents (letter of motivation, detailed CV, academic certification, transcripts and grades, contact details of two references) in electronic form (as a single pdf document), mentioning the reference of this job announcement (ref.#05-23002), by 31.01.2024 to recruiting@senckenberg.de 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 information regarding the scientific aspects of the project please contact the project leader Dr. Sonja Wedmann (Sonja.wedmann@senckenberg.de).

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

 

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 eleven 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.

The Senckenberg Nature Research Society – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research at the location in Frankfurt am Main is seeking to fill the following position as soon as possible

Laboratory Manager (m/f/d) in the field of Computed Tomography and SEM

(full time or part time)

 

Location: Department of Messel Research and Mammalogy, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Frankfurt, Germany

Scope of employment: Full-time (40 hours/week), part-time is possible

Contract type: permanent

Remuneration: Collective agreement of the State of Hesse (TV-H) E 11

Application deadline: January 5th, 2024

 

We are looking for an enthusiastic person with proven expertise in high-resolution computed tomography, including generation and processing of scans, and desirably experience with other imaging techniques (e.g. 2D X-ray, scanning electron microscopy) to take care of the institute’s X-ray infrastructure and SEM as a central laboratory facility. The job requirements include the supervision and organisation of the ongoing laboratory operation with computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy, the quality control of the generated digital data, the adaptation of common methods to biological, paleontological and geological objects and the instruction of new users and cooperation partners. This position is officially located in the Messel Research and Mammalogy Division; however, experience with all biological or geological specimens will be equally considered. 

 

Your tasks

• Management of the new TomoScope microCT
• Supporting researchers, especially in the use of the microCT facilities, but also the SEM facility
• Support in tomographic reconstruction for research projects and in technical troubleshooting
• Management of the booking system for users and the maintenance schedules for the microCT and SEM equipment
• Train new users
• Contact point for the cooperation agreement with Werth measurement technology
• Manage all generated data
• Note that we do not envisage this position involving independent research

 

Your profile

As a successful candidate, you will have the following qualifications:

• Ideally a successfully completed degree in the fields of physics, engineering, computer science, biology, geosciences or a comparable qualification
• Experience in the use of 3D reconstruction software
• Experience in the operation and handling of computer tomography equipment
• This position is bilingual: very good written and spoken German and English skills are required
• You have the ability to work in a team, communication skills, assertiveness and leadership responsibility
• You are interested in working with biological, palaeontological and geological objects

 

A further advantage would be

• Experience in computer graphics and/or design of algorithms
• Experience in virtual data management
• Experience in the management and organisation of a laboratory operation, including training and guidance of users
• Experience with SEM

We encourage anyone who meets the above requirements to apply.

 

What is awaiting you:

• An attractive and challenging job in a globally recognised research institution
• A salary commensurate with the importance of the tasks and the requirements of the position, according to TV-H E11
• Flexible working hours, mobile working, support with childcare or caring for family members (certified by the “audit berufundfamilie”), service card in connection with free admission to many municipal museums, special annual payment according to the collective agreement, holiday entitlement according to the collective agreement, company pension scheme

 

Senckenberg is committed to diversity. We benefit from the diverse expertise, perspectives and personalities of our employees and welcome applications from qualified candidates regardless of age, gender or gender identity, ethnic or cultural origin, religion and belief, sexual orientation and identity or disability. Applicants with a severe disability will be given preferential consideration if they have the same qualifications. Senckenberg actively supports the compatibility of work and family and attaches great importance to an equal and inclusive culture of cooperation.

 

You would like to apply?

Please send your application documents (CV, training and work references, letter of motivation) in electronic form (compiled into a single PDF file), mentioning the reference of this job offer (ref.#01-23028-1) before January 5^th by e-mail to: recruiting@senckenberg.de or apply directly on our homepage via the online application form.

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt am Main

E-Mail: recruiting@senckenberg.de

 

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Irina Ruf or Mónica M. Solórzano-Kraemer by e-mail: irina.ruf@senckenberg.de or monica.solorzano-kraemer@senckenberg.de

Further information about the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research can be found at www.senckenberg.de

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN) is a member of the Leibniz Association and is based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. SGN conducts natural history research with more than 800 employees and research institutions in seven federal states. The Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) explores the interactions between biodiversity, climate, and society.

The Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre invites applications for a

Postdoc Researcher (m/f/d) in Evolutionary Genomics of Mammals

 

There is an exciting opportunity for a talented and motivated applicant to join the working group of Prof. Dr. Axel Janke. The applicant will be closely involved in gene flow, evolutionary-, population or phylo-genetics to study speciation in mammals (bears, giraffe, kangaroos or allies) at the genomic level. Strong own and proven research interests including other vertebrate groups will be considered.

 

Your profile

• PhD degree in Biology, Genetics, Bioinformatics or a related field
• Strong interest and proven skills in evolutionary-, population- or phylogenomics. Knowledge in gene-flow analyses and/or drift process are an advantage
• Experience in genome assembly & annotation and programing of scripts, R
• Very good written and oral communication skills in English
• Interest to be involved in an international and interdisciplinary group to expand the work to species distribution modeling, paternal inference and conservation genetics

 

What is awaiting you?

• a workplace in a central location with good transport connections in the heart of Frankfurt – flexible working hours – opportunities for mobile working – support with childcare or caring for family members (certified by the “audit berufundfamilie”) – Senckenberg badge for free entry in museums in Frankfurt – special annual payment – company pension scheme

 

Place of employment: Frankfurt am Main

Working hours: full time, part-time optional (at least 80%)

Type of contract: The contract should start preferably on February 1^st, 2024 and is limited to two years

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. Women are particularly encouraged to apply, as they are underrepresented in the field of this position and will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications. 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 us your complete and informative application documents (CV, letter of motivation, academic transcripts and certification / credentials, two relevant publications, and contact details of two potential references to) in electronic form (as a single PDF file) by 07.01.2024 to recruiting@senckenberg.de, quoting the reference number #11-23015-1, 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 scientific enquiries please contact Prof. Dr. Axel Janke axel.janke@senckenberg.de .

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