Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN), Frankfurt am Main

Senckenberg – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research (SGN), headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, is seeking to fill the following position in the Department of Marine Zoology at the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, starting as of 01. May 2026:

(65%)

• Location: Frankfurt
• Employment scope: Part-time: 65%
• Type of contract: Temporary, up to 3 years
• Remuneration: Collective agreement of the state Hesse (TV-H) / E13

Senckenberg is one of the world’s leading research institutions in the field of Biodiversity and Earth System Research, with eight research institutes and three natural history museums across Germany and scientists from over 40 nations. Our headquarter is located in the thriving commercial metropolis of Frankfurt in the heart of Germany, which also hosts one of our most famous facilities, the Senckenberg Natural History Museum.

EuroWorm is a new interdisciplinary project that unites museum-based researchers specializing in marine segmented worms (Annelida) with comparative genomics experts. Its goal is to better understand European biodiversity using cutting-edge molecular and computational techniques, accelerate global biodiversity discovery through open museum data, and unravel the evolutionary history of Annelida – a diverse, ecologically important, and globally distributed but still understudied animal phylum.

The successful candidate will investigate the genomic basis of evolutionary novelties in marine annelids, including generating de novo genome assemblies from polychaete species. Comparative genomics will be used to address questions relating to evolutionary relationships and biomineralization in Annelida.

This position is funded through the Leibniz Collaborative Excellence Programme, with strong ties to LIB Hamburg, Georg-August-University Göttingen, and the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn. The PhD position will be based at Senckenberg in Frankfurt, and the degree will be awarded by the University of Bonn, an internationally recognized University of Excellence with a 200-year history, ~31,500 students, over 6,000 staff, and a broad and renowned research profile.

Your tasks

• Conduct essential laboratory work (e.g. DNA extraction, sample QC, basic library preparation)
• Assemble and annotate high-quality genomes of polychaete species using state-of-the-art sequencing technologies and computational infrastructure
• Perform comparative genomic analyses, including phylogenomics
• Conduct independent research in annelid genomics in close collaboration with project partners
• Contribute to joint publications, data management, and project-wide integration of genomic resources
• Undertake occasional international trips to visit collaborators, present at scientific conferences, and actively participate in on-site sample collection

Your profile

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in biology, zoology, bioinformatics, genomics, or a related field
• Strong interest in biodiversity, marine invertebrates, and answering evolutionary questions with comparative genomic analyses
• Experience with formulating scientific questions, planning and executing a research project
• Proficiency in common bioinformatics tools (command line-based) and scripting languages such as R, Python, Unix/shell
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment

Desirable skills

The following qualifications would be considered an asset. We explicitly encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet these additional criteria.

• Experience in preparing tissue samples for molecular work, including the extraction of high-molecular weight DNA and RNA
• Preparation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) libraries, particularly PacBio and Arima Hi-C libraries
• Experience with long-read sequencing data and hybrid assembly strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in genomics, genome assembly, and/or annotation, ideally with non-model organisms and in bioinformatic analyses of large data sets
• Familiarity with genome quality assessment, contamination screening, and troubleshooting of sequencing datasets
• Familiarity with phylogenomic pipelines and comparative genomics workflows

We Offer

• Access to an international network of scientists, policymakers, and research organizations
• Integration with the EUROWORM project partners with expert collaborators across Europe
• Training in state-of-the-art methods in comparative genomics, phylogenomics, and organismic biology
• A dynamic working environment in Frankfurt, 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. 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 research experience and how it relates to the advertised position, a CV, certificates of academic achievements, list of publications and conference participation, if available, as well as letter(s) of recommendation) electronically (as a single PDF) to recruiting(at)senckenberg.de stating the reference #01-26009 by 04^th March 2026.

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt a.M.

If you have any specific questions about the position, please contact PD Dr. Ekin Tilic at ekin.tilic(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/

With the submission of your application, you consent to your personal data being shared with an external member of the selection committee from the University of Copenhagen, solely for the purpose and duration of the recruitment procedure.

Please visit our website at www.senckenberg.de for further information about the Senckenberg – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research (SGN)