Area of research:
Scientific / postdoctoral posts
Part-Time Suitability:
The position is suitable for part-time employment.
Job description: PostDoc for Co-Creation of biodiversity monitoring based on environmental DNA (d/m/w)
Background
The manifold human interventions in coastal marine ecosystems, such as shipping, the construction of wind turbines, fishing, nutrient input or tourism, are increasingly leading to conflicts between the users of marine resources and nature conservation objectives. These conflicts have recently been exacerbated by the ambitious expansion targets for offshore wind farms (OWF) associated with the energy transition.
In this societal context, the project ´CREATE-2´ in the sustainMare research mission of the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM) is developing solution-oriented knowledge for better marine protection, resolving conflicts of interest and the efficient marine monitoring necessary to achieve nature conservation goals. In particular, ´CREATE-2´ pursues three objectives:
1) The co-creation and transfer of non-invasive monitoring strategies to monitor the marine environment,
2) The assessment of the biodiversity and connectivity of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the context of multiple uses, and
3) The co-creation of socially acceptable marine conservation measures and MPAs, associated governance structures and marine education measures.
'CREATE-2' addresses these goals through a transdisciplinary approach in which concrete products are co-developed together with relevant stakeholders and transferred to them. This takes place in the context of three real-world laboratories in the North and Baltic Seas.
The advertised position focuses on the co-creation and transfer of non-invasive monitoring strategies for marine fauna monitoring using environmental DNA metabarcoding. The position is based in the Plankton Ecology working group at the HIFMB.
Your Tasks
* Biodiversity analysis of marine fauna using environmental DNA (eDNA) in marine protected areas and offshore wind farms, including (monthly) sampling until 08/2026, laboratory work, and data analysis
* Integration of eDNA methods into existing monitoring programs
* Development and integration of monitoring concepts for marine fauna based on eDNA, including data analysis and preparing reports, fact sheets, etc.
* Sample archiving and maintenance of the environmental DNA bioarchive
* Publication and communication of research results
* Active participation in project meetings and workshops
The position includes tasks ranging from the planning of sampling campaigns (including the preparation of cruise proposals and applications for entry permits to offshore wind farms), to the execution of and participation in research cruises (including participation in training for working in offshore wind farms), water sampling and filtration, laboratory work for molecular genetic analysis, sequence and data analysis, presentation and publication of results, as well as active participation in workshops and conferences.
Your Profile
* PhD in environmental or natural sciences or a related discipline
* Knowledge and experience in the analysis of marine fauna using molecular genetic methods, with a focus on environmental DNA
* Experience and expertise in:
o Planning, organizing, and conducting research cruises and water sampling for eDNA analysis
o Processing eDNA samples (DNA extraction)
o Analysis of sequencing and biodiversity data
o Preparation of reports and scientific publications
o Presentation of research findings
* Ability to work at sea
* Excellent English (approximately equivalent to CEFR level C1) and good German language skills (approximately equivalent to CEFR level B1 / B2)
* Publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
* Laboratory experience in the preparation of sequencing libraries
* Experience in writing reports and publications in the field of eDNA research
* Experience in the cataloguing and storage of eDNA samples in bioarchives
* Taxonomic knowledge of marine fauna, especially of the North Sea
* Experience in knowledge transfer and stakeholder engagement
Further Information
The AWI is characterized by
The AWI is characterized by
* our scientific success - excellent research
* collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
* opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
* an international environment – everyday contact with people from all over the world
* flexible working hours and the possibility of mobile working up to 50% of regular working hours
* health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
* support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
* occupational pension provision (VBL)
AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, physical abilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities.
Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.
AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways and has received several awards as a result of this commitment. And as a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our Family Office and International Office will be glad to support you, even before you start at AWI.
This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.
Company
The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 47.500 people on staff in 18 national Research Centers and an annual budget of more than 6 billion euros, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research, in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action.
The profile of the Helmholtz Association
The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the program-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.
Moreover, Helmholtz specializes in large-scale research infrastructures – from accelerator facilities, earth observation satellites, research ships to supercomputers. They form the basis for scientific advances in tackling global societal challenges. Managing national research infrastructure is part of the Helmholtz Association's mission.
Promoting young academics
Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.
The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centers provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we established Career Development Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz Centers. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Investigator Group, for example. As an Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field and acquire management skills.
Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy: and Helmholtz Distinguished Professorship – Funding for the recruitment of leading international female scientists (W3) .
The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organize their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to provide leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.
All of this combined makes the 18 Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association a highly attractive environment for talented researchers from all over the world.
Company info
Telephone
0049-30-206329-0
Location
Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
Berlin
Berlin
10178
Germany