Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB), Bonn and Hamburg

The Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) is one of the large, globally connected research museums of the Leibniz Association. In addition to excellent research on biodiversity and its change, we are advancing the further development of our extensive scientific collections with an international team and state-of-the-art technology. With our exhibition, knowledge transfer and communication work at our exhibition venues Museum Koenig Bonn and Museum der Natur Hamburg, we want to spread enthusiasm for nature and contribute with our research topics to current socio-political discussions on species loss, climate change and the protection of ecosystems. The construction of an integrated natural history museum is being planned for the Hamburg location; the research infrastructure at the Bonn location is currently being significantly expanded.

Become part of our institute in Hamburg. We are looking for a full-time (39.00 hours/week)

Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d)

as soon as possible. The position is limited according to the part-time and fixed-term law to three years.

This Postdoctoral Researcher position is part of the EuroWorm project, a collaboration between the Leibniz Institute for Biodiversity Change (LIB), Georg-August-University Göttingen, the Senckenberg Nature Museum, and the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn. EuroWorm is a new interdisciplinary initiative that brings together museum-based experts in marine annelids with specialists in genomics and bioinformatics. Its overarching aim is to unlock Europe’s hidden biodiversity by applying state-of-the-art molecular and computational tools. The project seeks to accelerate global biodiversity discovery by making museum collections more accessible through open data and to advance our understanding of annelid evolution across broad spatial, ecological, and temporal scales.

Your tasks:

• Generation of low-coverage whole-genome sequence data in the LIB HH molecular laboratory including genomic DNA extraction and library preparation for next-generation sequencing.
• Performing core bioinformatic analyses of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data, including reference genome assembly and annotation, demultiplexing and quality filtering of low-coverage whole-genome data, and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) calling.
• Performing advanced phylogenomic and comparative genomics analyses of NGS data.
• Interpreting results and preparing scientific publications.
• Assisting with coordination and planning of field sampling efforts in Europe with external participants.
• Nearshore marine field sampling and sample processing, including specimen photography, tissue sampling, fixation, and preservation.
• Providing support for, or independently performing, annelid taxonomic identification and species descriptions.
• Providing support for museum collection database integration of newly field-collected specimens and associated data.
• Contribute to the training and mentorship of students and interns in molecular data generation and analysis

Your profile:

Requirements:

• PhD in Zoology, Evolutionary Biology, or a related field with a focus on biodiversity genomic methods, bioinformatics, phylogenomics, and marine invertebrate systematics as demonstrated by a strong publication record.
• Expertise and practical experience with next-generation sequencing laboratory procedures.
• Expertise and practical experience in data management and analysis of sequence and genome data (bioinformatics).
• Experience working with non-model organisms (animals), ideally marine invertebrates.
• Oral and written communication skills in English.

Desirable skills:

• Experience with annelid taxonomy, systematics, and identification.
• Experience supervising or mentoring students.
• Demonstrated strong collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

We offer:

• An attractive position in an excellent research institution with a high degree of creative potential in a dynamic scientific and social environment
• Remuneration according to the collective agreement of the federal states (up to EG 13 TV-L if the personal and job-related requirements of the collective agreement are met) with all the benefits of the public sector (company pension scheme, annual special payment, capital-forming benefits, collectively agreed vacation entitlement)
• Family friendliness certified by the "Work and Family Audit", offer of life coaching through professional family service
• the possibility of obtaining a job ticket
• A centrally located workplace with excellent transport links

Please send your complete application documents (including cover letter, CV, copies of certificates, 2 references, max. 10 MB) by 24.04.2026 exclusively digitally via our career portal (https://8101202752.karriereportal.cloud/) to Ms. Jennifer Scholze. For organizational reasons, only online applications will be accepted. We are a diverse institution and welcome our diversity. We would particularly like to encourage women to apply in order to actively promote equal opportunities. Severely disabled people will be given preference if equally qualified.

You can find more information about our institution on the Internet at: https://leibniz-lib.de/