Job Announcement Ref. #11-25012

The Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), which is part of the the Senckenberg – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research (SGN), is seeking to fill the following position in the working group of Evolutionary Analyses and Biological Archives, starting as soon as possible:

Postdoctoral Researcher in Marine Monitoring Technologies (m/f/d)

(Full time / part time options are available) Location: Frankfurt Employment scope: Full-time / Part-time options are available Type of contract: Limited to 3 years Remuneration: Collective agreement of the state Hesse (TV-H) / E13 Founded in 1817, the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum in Frankfurt am Main 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 headquarter is located in the thriving commercial metropolis of Frankfurt (Mainhattan) in the heart of Germany, which also hosts one of our most famous facilities, the Senckenberg Natural History Museum. The mission of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre is to study the complex interactions between biodiversity and climate as well as the changes affecting them.

Join SEAMPHONI, an EU‑funded consortium of leading European marine research institutions, to advance tools for evaluating and monitoring Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). We seek a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to drive the integration of environmental DNA (eDNA), passive acoustics, and complementary monitoring techniques into robust best‑practice frameworks.

Your tasks

• Coordinate eDNA workflows: Liaise with consortium partners to harmonize sampling protocols, sequencing pipelines, and data‐sharing agreements.
• Data analysis & interpretation: Process and interpret high‑throughput sequencing outputs to assess biodiversity patterns across multiple MPA sites.
• Comparative evaluation: Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of eDNA versus acoustic monitoring (and other approaches), identifying optimal applications for each context.
• Best‑practice development: Co‑design guidelines and decision‑support tools to inform management and policy, ensuring that monitoring strategies are fit‑for‑purpose.

Your profile

• You hold a PhD in marine ecology, molecular ecology, bioacoustics, or a closely related field.
• You bring strong quantitative skills (e.g., R/Python, bioinformatics pipelines) and experience with high‑throughput sequencing and/or acoustic data analysis.
• You thrive in international, interdisciplinary teams, value diversity of thought, and enjoy the freedom to explore novel ideas.
• You communicate fluently in English, both orally and in writing.

We Offer:

• Access to an international network of scientists, policymakers, and research organizations
• The chance to shape cutting‑edge monitoring solutions that directly inform MPA management and conservation policy.
• 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. 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 (a CV, a brief statement of research interests, and contact details for two referees, certificates of academic achievements, list of publications as well as letter(s) of recommendation, if available) electronically (as a single PDF) to recruiting@senckenberg.de (https://mailto:recruiting@senckenberg.de) stating the reference #11-25012 by 24 September 2025 or apply online, using the application form on our website www.senckenberg.de/de/karriere/bewerbung/ (http://www.senckenberg.de/de/karriere/bewerbung/)

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung Senckenberganlage 25 60325 Frankfurt a.M. E-Mail: recruiting@senckenberg.de (https://mailto:recruiting@senckenberg.de) If you have any specific questions about the position, kindly contact Prof. Dr. Marco Thines at marco.thines@senckenberg.de (https://mailto:marco.thines@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/ (https://www.senckenberg.de/en/imprint/)

Please visit our website at www.senckenberg.de (http://www.senckenberg.de) for further information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung.

Bereitgestellt in Kooperation mit der Bundesagentur für Arbeit.