Job announcement ref. #08-25011
For the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz, the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung headquartered in Frankfurt (Main) is seeking the to fill the following position
Researcher (PostDoc) (m/f/d) in Soil Ecology (Emmy Noether project)
Location: Görlitz
Employment scope: part-time 70% (28 hours /week)
Type of contract: the contract shall start from September 2025 and is a project-based fixed term until 30.06.2028
Remuneration: collective agreement of the German Länder, TV-L E 13
Founded in 1817, the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN) is one of the world’s major research institutions in the field of biodiversity. At our twelve sites in Germany, scientists from over 40 nations conduct cutting-edge research at an international level. At the Görlitz site, the renowned Senckenberg Museum of Natural History is located in a historic town with a region that is particularly close to nature and well worth living in.
This position aims to describe differences in structure and functions of soil food webs in forests dominated by different mycorrhiza types (ecto- and arbuscular myсorrhiza). The position is linked to the Emmy Noether project “Soil food web control of the carbon cycle in forests across climates and mycorrhiza types”. The work is done in collaboration with other team members based on already existing and new experimental datasets. The candidate will be able to co-design laboratory or field experiments to test project hypotheses about the connection between soil food webs and soil functioning.
Your Tasks
Co-designing and implementing laboratory and field experiments
Identification of soil invertebrates (e.g. mites, springtails, insects) using modern and classical techniques
Laboratory analyses of soil properties
Statistical analysis of complex ecological datasets
Presentation of project results at international scientific conferences
Curation and publishing of data collected in the framework of the project
Supervision of students and research assistants in project-related tasks
Your Profile
Doctorate (PhD) in Ecology, Soil Ecology, or a closely related discipline
Expertise in identifying soil invertebrates
Experience with the analysis of food webs or trophic interactions
Excellent skills in statistical modelling, preferably using R
Proven track record of publishing in international peer-reviewed journals as first author
Willingness to conduct fieldwork and participate in international scientific exchange
Excellent written and spoken English skills
Team spirit
Desirable skills
Experience in working in collaborative research projects
Experience in designing and implementing laboratory/field experiments with soil invertebrates
Written and spoken German skills
We offer
access to an international network of scientists, policymakers and research organizations
a dynamic working environment
flexible working hours – mobile working options – assistance with child care and care for family members („audit berufundfamilie“) – employee ID card with free admission to the Senckenberg museums – annual special payment – collectively agreed vacation entitlement – company pension plan
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; in the case of equal qualifications and suitability, they will be given preference. 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.