Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN), Frankfurt am Main

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, is seeking for the Section Malacology in the Department of Zoology at the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz a

• Location: Görlitz, Saxony
• Employment scope: part-time (50%, 20 hours/week)
• Type of contract: temporary for 2 years, with the prospect of transformation into a permanent position
• Remuneration: collective agreement of the German Länder, TV-L E 6 – E 7

Founded in 1817, the Senckenberg – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research (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 Senckenberg Museum of Natural History is located in a historic town within a nature-rich region.

Are you interested in the biodiversity of invertebrates and would like to participate in scientific research on the biology of snails and slugs? We are looking for an enthusiastic technical assistant in the Section Malacology of the Department of Zoology.

Your Tasks

• Technical management of the invertebrate collection, particularly Mollusca: Inventorising samples, labelling, curation of the dry and wet collections, international postage of loan material
• Maintenance of the collection database, and preparation for its online publication
• General administrative and maintenance tasks, e.g. monitoring and ordering consumables and other equipment
• Field work (mainly as part of a team, but sometimes alone): hand collecting snails and slugs, taking soil and litter samples
• Processing of samples in the laboratory, particularly sorting
• Killing and preserving molluscs and taking tissue samples
• Care of live slugs kept in the laboratory
• Data input into a literature database

Your Profile

• Completed training as a technical assistant for natural history museums or other research institutions, as an assistant for biological laboratory work, or a comparable biological qualification
• An interest in the biology of invertebrate animals and a willingness to deal with living and dead molluscs
• Ability to dissect and determine molluscs, or willingness to learn this
• Experience with laboratory work, and competent handling of optical systems (mainly cameras and stereomicroscopes)
• Ability and willingness to work in the field
• Competence with MS Office and some experience with data handling
• Careful and well-structured working style with good time management and organisational skills
• Ability to work in a team and communicate effectively; happy to cooperate with colleagues within the department
• Good spoken and written English skills

Desirable skills

• German driving license
• Knowledge of the principles of zoological systematics
• Some knowledge of non-marine molluscs or experience with another group of invertebrates
• Experience with DNA laboratory techniques or motivation to learn it
• Experience with databanks and collection management systems
• At least a basic knowledge of German

We offer

• Access to an international network of scientists, policymakers and research organisations
• An attractive job within the inspiring and dynamic working environment of an internationally recognised research institution
• Flexible working times – mobile-working options – 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 various expertise, perspectives and personalities of our staff members 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 puts particular emphasis on an equal and inclusive work culture.

How to apply?

Please send your complete and informative application (letter of motivation, detailed CV, training certificates, and the names of two referees whom we may contact for a letter of reference) electronically (as a single PDF) to recruiting(at)senckenberg.de referencing #08-25026, by 18th January 2026.

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt am Main

For specific questions about this role, please contact Dr. Heike Reise via heike.reise@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/.

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