Researcher (PostDoc) (m/f/d) for the project Carbonweb

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

Researcher (PostDoc) (m/f/d) for the project CARBONWEB

Location: Görlitz

Employment scope: part-time; 37,5% (15 hours /week)

Type of contract: starting as soon as possible; temporary, limited for one year

Remuneration: collective agreement of the German Länder, TV-L E 13

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.

Soil food webs drive 90% of terrestrial primary production and regulate one of the largest carbon pools on Earth – yet they remain poorly understood. The CARBONWEB project aims to fill this gap by analyzing soil food web dynamics and their role in global biogeochemistry. Our research integrates data from the global Soil BON monitoring network, controlled experiments, and modelling.

This position aims to investigate the effects of present nature conversation practices on soil fauna and the functioning of soil food webs.

Your Role

Your role in the framework of this project is to co-coordinate the data collection from the global fauna assessment from images and samples collected by Soil BON collaborators, lead data analysis and publication of one research paper.

Your Tasks

• Coordinating laboratory and field work
• Soil invertebrate identification
• Laboratory analyses of soil properties
• Data analysis and publishing of research articles
• Presenting results of the project at international scientific conferences
• Curation and publishing of data collected in the framework of the project
• Supervising students and assistants

Your Profile

• A PhD in ecology or related fields with a sscientific background in soil ecology
• Experience in invertebrate identification
• Experience with laboratory analyses of soil properties (especially soil organic matter)
• Experience in publishing in international peer-reviewed journals as the leading author
• Excellent knowledge of statistical modelling in R
• Excellent spoken and written English skills
• Team spirit

Desirable skills

• Experience in working in collaborative research projects

We offer

• access to an international network of scientists, policymakers and research organizations
• an attractive job within the inspired and dynamic working environment of an internationally recognized research institution
• flexible working hours – 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 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 and current research foci, a CV, certificates of academic achievements, list of publications) electronically (as a single PDF) to stating the reference # by or apply online, using the application form on our website

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt am Main

E-Mail:

For specific questions about this role, please contact Prof. Dr. Anton Potapov at

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

Join us in advancing ecological research through innovative technology We look forward to your application

For further information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung please visit