Technical Assistant (m/f/d) in Soil Zoology for the project “BoTiKI”

Job announcement ref. #08-25010

For the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz, the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung headquartered in Frankfurt (Main) is seeking the to fill the following position

Technical Assistant (m/f/d) in Soil Zoology for the project "BoTiKI” Location: Görlitz

Employment scope: part-time (20 hours /week)

Type of contract: fixed-term contract starting as soon as possible until the end of the project: 30th November 2027

Remuneration: collective agreement of the German Länder, TV-L E 6 - E 9 (depending on your level of qualifications) 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.

Are you an enthusiast about small invertebrates’ biodiversity, with an appeal for technology)? We are seeking a motivated soil zoology technical assistant (m/f/d) to support the project "BoTiKI "(funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety), ideally starting as soon as possible in 2025.

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 Tasks

• Participation in fieldwork in Germany (throughout the project, four trips of 3-4 days each are planned, as well as several individual working days in the local area) and in-situ data collection, including soil core sampling and soil gazes flux measurements
• Laboratory processing of soil samples, including extraction, sorting, and preparation of soil fauna
• Independent development and implementation of new analytical and examination methods
• Digitization of invertebrate soil communities using photographic systems and AI-supported imaging
• Data management, including Excel-based data entry and label processing for biological samples
• Support in image annotation and post-processing for scientific documentation

Your Profile

• Completed vocational training as a technical assistant (f/m/d), biology or chemistry lab technician (f/m/d), or equivalent qualification/experience
• Laboratory experience and confident use of optical equipment (e.g. camera, microscope, stereo microscope)
• Proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel; experience with database management system
• Ability to organize tasks and manage time effectively
• Strong interest in biology, especially in soil-dwelling invertebrates such as mites, springtails, insects or spiders
• Ability to work outdoor, in a natural environment
• Ability to work in a team and collaborate across disciplines as well as excellent communication skills
• Good command of English (written and spoken)

Desirable skills

• Experience with gas fluxes measurement
• Good spoken and written German skills B2
• Driving license valid for Germany

We offer

• access to an international network of scientists, policymakers and research organizations
• a dynamic working environment
• flexible working hours – mobile working options – assistance with child care and care for family members ("audit berufundfamilie") – employee ID card with free admission to the Senckenberg museums – annual special payment – collectively agreed vacation entitlement – company pension plan 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 description of your experience, a CV, certificates of your vocational training) electronically (as a single PDF) to recruiting@senckenberg.de (https://mailto:recruiting@senckenberg.de?subject=08-250015%20Zoologe) stating the reference #08-25010 by 01 July 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 am Main

E-Mail: recruiting@senckenberg.de (https://mailto:recruiting@senckenberg.de) For specific questions about this role, please contact Dr. Clément Schneider at clement.schneider@senckenberg.de (https://mailto:clement.schneider@senckenberg.de?subject=Technical%20Assistant%20%2310-25010) . 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/) . For further information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung please visit www.senckenberg.de (http://www.senckenberg.de) .

Bereitgestellt in Kooperation mit der Bundesagentur für Arbeit.