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.

 

 

At the Senckenberg German Center for Marine Biodiversity Research (DZMB) in Wilhelmshaven we are looking to hire as soon as possible a

 

Lab and project manager (m/f/d) of marine NextGen sequencing projects

 (full-time position / part-time options available)

 

Your tasks

• Supporting and consulting PIs in DNA and library preparation for metabarcoding, e-DNA, RAD sequencing, or high throughput amplicon sequencing, and other applications like de novo genome and transcriptome sequencing of marine organisms
• Developing strategies for high-quality DNA isolation and quantification from marine organism of difficult sources (meio and macrobenthos, zooplankton, Dinophyceae, deep-sea)
• Supporting PIs with bioinformatic analysis of Illumina runs (MiSeq, NextSeq), and prepare results and analyses for reports and scientific publications
• Being responsible for organizing, operating, maintaining, and enhancing the NextGen Laboratory infrastructure in Wilhelmshaven (PCR and qPCR machines, MiSeq sequencer, Nanopore, Tape Station, etc.)
• Organizing and documenting sample preparation and NextGen sequencing for internal and external partners
• Manage communication with research groups (Universities, KDM and DAM Institutes), service providers and database managers
• Participating and organizing sampling campaigns for NextGen projects at sea, responsible for sampling gears and sampling design at sea
• Contribute to Senckenberg’s research portfolio including our focus on “Anthropocene Biodiversity Loss”
• Contribute to organization-wide administrative roles relating to research (e.g. participation on internal and external committees, public outreach initiatives,)
• Willingness to participate in marine expeditions

 

Your Qualification

• Scientific degree (Master of Science) preferably on a marine topic using molecular methods
• Illumina training certificate and experience with operating NextGen sequencing platforms (e.g. MiSeq)
• Experience with library preparation (transcriptomes, metabarcoding, e-DNA, RAD sequencing) and quantification methods (Tape Station, Qbit, qPCR)
• Knowledge and experience in organizing, operating, maintaining, and enhancing laboratory infrastructure
• Experience with demultiplexing and statistical analyses of Illumina Libraries
• Programming experience for NextGen analysis using script languages (R, BASH, sed, Python)
• Experience with writing bioinformatic scripts for parallel computing on distributed UNIX/Linux clusters
• Experience with Managing NextGen sequencing projects with external partners
• Experience and solid understanding of DNA and NextGen sequencing technology
• Sea-going expedition experience on research vessels and solid understanding of sampling methods and sampling design for marine communities
• Highly service orientated with excellent communication skills

 

What is awaiting you?

• An interesting task in a dynamic team of researchers in an international research institution
• The opportunity to gain experience in the above-mentioned research field
• Occasion to build a network with scientists in interdisciplinary fields
• flexible working hours – mobile working – support with child care or care for family members (certified by the „audit berufundfamilie“) – a company badge – annual special payment according to the public service tariff – annual paid leave of 30 days – company pension scheme

 

 

Place of employment:          Wilhelmshaven (Lower Saxony)

Working hours:                    Full time position (40 weekly working hours) / part time options are available (minimum 75%)

Type of contract:                  Start of contract is ideally as soon as possible; the contract is initially limited for 2 years, and can be made permanent after this period

Remuneration:                      According to the public service tariff TV-H E 11 – E 12 (depending on qualification and experience)

 

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.

 

We welcome your application!

Please send your complete and comprehensive application (letter of motivation with a short description of your previous and current research foci, a CV, certificates of academic achievements as well as letters of recommendation) electronically (as a single PDF) to recruiting@senckenberg.de mentioning the reference number #02-24004 by 14.08.2024.

Alternatively, you can apply directly through our online application form at our home page www.senckenberg.de/de/karriere/bewerbung/.

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt a.M.

E-Mail: recruiting@senckenberg.de

 

For specific questions regarding the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Pedro Martínez Arbizu pedro.martinez@senckenberg.de.

 

For more information about the Senckenberg Research Society please visit http://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 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 of the society. 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 unspoilt nature as well as a wide range of cultural activities.