For its institute Senckenberg am Meer in Wilhelmshaven, the Senckenberg – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research (SGN), headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, is seeking to fill the following position

Research Scientist (m/f/d) for Long-Term Benthic Dynamics
(Tenure Track / full time – part time: minimum 80%)

at the department Marine Research as per 01 Dezember 2025

Location: Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Employment scope: Full-time (40 hours/week);
Part-time options are available, min. 80 % (32 hours/week)
Type of contract: Initially limited three years, an extension of further two 
                              years with the option of a permament position is planned
                              after a positive evaluation.
Remuneration: Collective agreement of the state Hesse, TV-H E 13

Founded in 1817, the Senckenberg – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research 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. Named for its location bordering the North Sea, our northernmost institute “Senckenberg am Meer” in Wilhelmshaven cooperates with major marine research institutions in Germany as well as universities. The area around Wilhelmshaven is well-known for its unspoilt nature and general recreational value.

Senckenberg is committed to study the causes and effects of biodiversity loss in the Anthropocene. As part of our strategic development, we launched an ambitious longterm research effort in “Anthropocene Biodiversity Loss” encompassing the modules “Collectomics”, “Biodiversity Genomics”, and “Solution Labs”. Objectives include the transformation of natural history collections and data bases into the digital era, studying biodiversity from the genome to the ecosystem levels and offering exploratory spaces for science and society to develop common solutions to Anthropocene challenges.

The Department Marine Research at Senckenberg am Meer is based in Wilhelmshaven, the largest city in north-western Germany and has gained international recognition in the fields of coastal and Wadden Sea research. A special focus is laid on the long-term variability of benthic biodiversity studied in our LTER North Sea Benthos Observatory. The new position will be embedded in the new strategic portfolio entitled “Anthropocene Biodiversity Loss” as well as in the Marine Strategy topic “Marine Temporal Dynamics”. We intend to strengthen our existing expertise by an expert in benthic ecology and taxonomy of North Sea infauna and epifauna as well as statistical benthic long-term data analysis, GIS and modelling approaches. The general objective of the position is to study the changes in biodiversity and traits of in- and epifauna species and communities in the south-eastern North Sea and environmental and human stressors to understand the factors driving the spatial patterns and temporal trends in the communities.  

• Management of the LTER North Sea Benthos Observatory.
• Annual sampling of the different in- and epifauna long-term studies of the LTER North 
   Sea Benthos Observatory (4 weeks at sea every year).
• Taxonomy of North Sea in- and epifauna species.
• Statistical analyses of own and available benthic long-term data, GIS, and model 
   approaches.
• Publications of research results in high-ranked international scientific journals. 
• Acquisition of third-party research funding. 
• Collaboration with the LTER-D and ILTER networks.
• Collaboration with the Senckenberg departments “German Center for Marine Biodiversity 
   Research” (Wilhelmshaven and Hamburg) and “Marine Zoology” (Frankfurt a.M.) and 
   other Senckenberg institutes, in particular strengthening the new working fields 
   “Anthropocene Biodiversity Loss” and “Marine Temporal Dynamics”.

• A doctoral degree in benthic ecology, marine biology or marine science. 
• Expertise in benthic ecology.
• Expertise in taxonomy, traits and ecology of North Sea infauna and epifauna.
• Expertise in management and analyses of long-term data or large data sets.
• Expertise in statistics, GIS and modelling.
• Publications in international, peer-reviewed scientific journals preferably in the 
  above-mentioned topics. 
• Willingness to participate in interdisciplinary work.
• Experience in acquisition of third-party funded projects and project management. 
• Fluency in English both spoken and written.
• Good knowledge of German or willingness to learn German. 
• Motivation, commitment and the ability to develop and implement own research ideas. 
• Experience in guiding students and staff. 
• Team spirit.

• 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 – family friendly environment („audit 
  berufundfamilie“) – employee ID card with free admission to 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. 

How to apply?
Please send your application (letter of motivation with a short description of your previous and current research foci, a CV, certificates of academic achievements, list of publications as well as letter(s) of recommendation, if available) electronically (as a single PDF)  to the mentioned email stating the reference #02-25016 by September 15, 2025 or apply online, using the application form on our website www.senckenberg.de/de/karriere/bewerbung

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
Senckenberganlage 25
60325 Frankfurt a.M.
 

If you have any specific questions about the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Ingrid Kröncke.

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/

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