3 Postdoctoral Researchers (ecologists) (m/f/d)

Tätigkeitsprofil:

For its Department of River Ecology and Conservation in Gelnhausen, the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, is seeking to fill the following position

3 Postdoctoral Researchers (ecologists) (m/f/d)
(full time / part time options available)

as soon as possible.

Location: Gelnhausen

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

Type of contract: limited two years / extension is possible

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

Founded in 1817, Senckenberg Society for Nature Research (SGN) is one of the world’s leading research institutions in the field of biodiversity. At our twelve sites in Germany, scientists from over 40 nations conduct cutting-edge research on an international scale.

We are looking for enthusiastic ecologists with a background in broad-scale biodiversity change, community ecology, macroecology, metacommunities, and/or analysis of ecological time series.

The three positions are embedded in one or more of the following projects:

1) Synthesis Center on Freshwater Biodiversity Change in Europe

The Synthesis Center investigates a broad variety of fundamental and applied ecological questions, including those related to biodiversity change, community ecology, freshwater ecology, time series analyses, multiple stressor impacts, and conservation (see doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06400-1 for an example). Data for > 30,000 freshwater biodiversity time series across 30 European countries has already been compiled from rivers and lakes, covering invertebrates, fish, macrophytes, diatoms, and benthic algae, in collaboration with a large pan-European network of > 150 researchers. Positions involved in this project are expected to pursue similar, broad-scale questions using the already available data.

2) EU Horizon Europe project BEAGLE (begins 1 October 2026)

BEAGLE (Biodiversity methods for advanced monitoring at large scales) is a policy-oriented research project advancing biodiversity monitoring across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems in the EU, in collaboration with a consortium of 17 partners with expertise in ecology, AI, and policy to support informed decision-making for conservation and sustainable strategies. BEAGLE will synthesize European-scale biodiversity data mobilization activities, leverage existing biodiversity monitoring protocols, deploy eDNA as well as > 1,000 field sensors for automated biodiversity recording, and actively engage citizens. Positions involved in this project are expected to contribute to several tasks including biodiversity data mobilization at the European-scale and Malaise trap deployment.

3) EU-funded project ‘Biodiversity Meets Data’ (BMD; https://bmd-project.eu/)

BMD aims to provide a toolbox equipped with a suite of Virtual Research Environments (VREs) co-designed with stakeholders to enable any user to easily access, visualize, and model already collected biodiversity data, including projections to future climatic and land cover scenarios at local, regional, national and European scales across terrestrial, freshwater and marine realms. Positions involved in this project are expected to develop these VREs (e.g., via R Shiny apps). The project presents a fantastic opportunity to become part of a European network of established researchers, postdocs, and graduate students working with monitoring data.

Anforderungsprofil:

Your tasks

• Contributing scientifically to one or more of the above-described projects (you can indicate a preference in your application if you have one)
• Managing big biodiversity datasets, including quality assurance/quality control and methods for automation
• Analyzing spatial and temporal biodiversity data, and accompanied environmental data, to elucidate spatial patterns and temporal trends and drivers thereof
• Preparing project reports and scientific manuscripts
• Mentoring graduate students
• Giving oral presentations at national and international conferences
• Attending virtual and physical project meetings

Your profile

• PhD in Ecology or a related field
• Solid background in fields related to the above expected tasks for a given project or projects.
• Advanced skills in statistical analyses using R
• Skills in project management and report writing are preferred but not essential
• Strong publication record for your current career level
• Excellent written and oral communication and project presentation skills in English

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 (ZVK)

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 (a letter outlining your suitability for the post, a detailed CV, contact details of 2 references, a list of publications and acquired funding electronically (as a single PDF) stating the reference #04-26003 by May 31st, 2026 using the application form on our website https://www.senckenberg.de/en/career/apply-online/

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt a.M.

If you have any specific questions about the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Peter Haase at peter.haase@senckenberg.de

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 website at https://www.senckenberg.de/en/imprint/