Two Student Assistants (m/f/d) for the project "BoTiKI"

Location:  Görlitz

Employment scope: 40 hours/month (work on fixed days is preferred)

Type of contract: temporary, fixed-term for one year

Remuneration:  Bachelor students 12,82 €/hour;  Master students 13,53 €/hour

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.

About the project:

Soil is a large reservoir of greenhouse gases (GHG). It can sequestrate or release potent GHG (CO2, CH4 and N2O). Soil invertebrates partake in soil processes related to soil GHG fluxes, however, the fauna exact impact on those fluxes is poorly known yet, and is a missing factor in soil GHG fluxes models. BoTiKI aims at filling this knowledge gap and establish improved GHG models accounting for soil invertebrates. To achieve this, we create a rich AI-training dataset for multi-modal inferences, combining computer-vision, environmental parameter measures and DNA data. Your role will be essential for data acquisition, field sampling and project material organization.

·         Participate in field work and in-situ data acquisition, including soil core sampling and soil gazes flux measurements

·         Laboratory processing of the samples, including soil fauna extraction and sample sorting

·         Digitise invertebrate community samples using a photographic system

·         Contribute to data management tasks, such as working with Excel tables and editing sample labels

·         Help with data annotation tasks (image editing)

We are looking for motivated and reliable students who meet the following requirements:

Enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree programme (preferably in biology, environmental sciences or a related field)

Enthusiastic and curious about the biodiversity of small invertebrates

Desired skills

·         Initial experience with handling biological samples

·         Basic familiarity with optical systems such as cameras, microscopes and stereomicroscopes

·         Proficiency in working with standard desktop applications and file management (office suite)

·         Willingness to work outdoors in a natural environment

·         Comfort with handling small invertebrates (e.g. mites, springtails, insects, spiders)

·         Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team

·         Good command of English (spoken and written)

·         A chance to engage directly with cutting edge biodiversity research

·         Access to an international network of scientists, policymakers and research organizations

·         A dynamic working environment

·         Flexible working hours – assistance with child care and care for family members („audit berufundfamilie“) – employee ID card  with free admission to municipal and the Senckenberg museums

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.

Please send your application (a short description of your current research interest, a CV, enrolment certificate and your academic transcripts and/or certificates) electronically (as a single PDF) to  stating the reference #08-25014 by 30th June 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 am Main

E-Mail:

For specific questions about this role, please contact Dr. Clément Schneider at .

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

For further information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung please visit www.senckenberg.de