Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN), Frankfurt am Main

Job Announcement Ref. #01-25044

For the Department of Paleoanthropology at the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, the Senckenberg – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research (SGN) is seeking to fill the following position as of 1 October 2025:

Media Archivist / Coordinator (m/f/d) for the Human Ethology Film Archive

(Part Time: 80 %)

a permanent employment is intended

Remuneration: E 11 / Collective agreement of the state Hesse (TV-H)

Founded in 1817, Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (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. Our headquarters is located in the thriving commercial metropolis of Frankfurt (often referred to as Mainhatten) in the heart of Germany, which also hosts one of our most famous facilities, the Senckenberg Natural History Museum.

In line with its mission to analyze and document biodiversity in the dynamics of the Earth system for the benefit of science and society, Senckenberg promotes curiosity-driven and application-oriented collection-based research. Senckenberg hosts the unique Human Ethology Film Archive (HEFA) established through the Max Planck Society. HEFA consists of approximately 800 hours of film and sound recordings, visual and written documents of everyday life and social interaction in private and public situations, celebrations and cultural displays in five societies in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia/Oceania, derived from the cross-cultural long-term research of Prof. Eibl-Eibesfeldt.

Your tasks

We are looking for creative individuals with a strong enthusiasm for documentary film material who feel confident working at the interface between the natural and the social sciences – for example in the fields of human ethology, human ecology, ethnology, anthropology, film studies or related disciplines. You have a strong interest in the legal and ethical questions that arise in connection with accessing, processing and digitising historical scientific film material – particularly regarding the use of the Human Ethology Film Archive. You bring experience in the curation, archiving, and management of databases for written and audiovisual materials. You plan and carry out archival research independently, respond professionally to external enquiries, and prepare all relevant documents carefully and in a structured manner for the ethics committee responsible for the Human Ethology Film Archive at Senckenberg.

Your profile

• A professional qualification as an archivist, collections manager, or in a comparable field, with a completed bachelor’s degree or equivalent training, such as qualification as a media and information services specialist (FaMI) with a focus on archives.
• Strong interest and sensitivity in ethically responsible archive practices of historical audiovisual footage and associated data.
• Interest in the documentary and preservation of human biocultural dynamics, ethology, ethnology, anthropology, and diversity.
• Experience or demonstrated ability to develop concepts for regular film archive research and organizing registration and visits in the film archive.
• Strong interest in developing HEFA's digitisation, archiving and utilization programme.
• Due to an expected broad public and scientific interest in the HEFA, very good communication skills are essential for networking with national and international cooperation partners, researchers, film archive organisations, and authorities.
• Very good command of English, both written and spoken; good command of German, or a willingness to learn the language.
• Driver’s license (Class B) is desirable.
• Flexibility and willingness to familiarize yourself with new areas of responsibility, as well as the occasional assignment outside normal working hours within the framework of conferences, workshops, visits by guests from Germany and abroad, or other events (by prior arrangement, approx. 30 hours per year).

We Offer:

• Access to an international network of scientists, policymakers, and research organizations.
• An attractive position in a dynamic working environment in Frankfurt at a globally recognized research institution, located in a diverse and vibrant city offering a high quality of life.
• Flexible working hours – mobile working options – Support with childcare or caring for family members (certified by the "audit berufundfamilie") – employee ID card with free admission to municipal 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 send your application (letter of motivation, detailed CV, certificates of education and work references) electronically (as a single PDF) to recruiting(at)senckenberg.de stating the reference #01-25044 by 31^st August 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. Ottmar Kullmer at ottmar.kullmer(at)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 homepage at https://www.senckenberg.de/en/imprint/

Please visit our website at www.senckenberg.de for further information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung.