Researcher; m​/f​/d – Enchytraeidae Biodiversity and Functions

Senckenberg –
Leibniz
Institution
for Biodiversity
and
Earth
System
Research (SGN), headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, is seeking to fill the following position at the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz as of September 1, 2026

Researcher (m/f/d) – Enchytraeidae Biodiversity and Functions

Employment scope: part-time (65 %)

Type of contract:limited to 18 months

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

Senckenberg is one of the world’s leading research institutions in the field of Biodiversity and Earth System Research, with eight research institutes and three natural history museums across Germany and scientists from over 40 nations. Our headquarter is located in the thriving commercial metropolis of Frankfurt in the heart of Germany, which also hosts one of our most famous facilities, the Senckenberg Natural History Museum.

The renowned Senckenberg Museum of Natural History (SMNG) in Görlitz hosts one of the largest collections of soil fauna in Europe and, within its Soil Zoology department, conducts basic and applied research in soil fauna taxonomy and ecology. The Soil Zoology department consists of seven sections, with the Oligochaeta section being one of the latest additions. Community dynamics and taxonomic and functional diversity of potworms (Enchytraeidae) and earthworms is the main research topic of this section.

Its research focusses on ecology, with a special emphasis on soil fauna mediated ecosystem services.

Land use affects below ground communities with unknown consequences for essential ecosystem processes. In the framework of the Biodiversity Exploratories (https://(Sie können sich bewerben oder uns per E-Mail kontaktieren in dem Sie die untenstehende Online-Bewerbungsbox verwenden)), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the project “Biodiversity exploratories – Biodiversity of Enchytraeidae and their Functions (BE-DEF)” will investigate temporal and spatial dynamics of grassland communities of Enchytraeidae (Annelida, Oligochaeta) using morphological identification, metabarcoding, and eDNA approaches. Combined with proteomics and compound-specific stable isotopes, we will analyse the impact of land use on functional diversity in Enchytraeidae communities and therefore soil functions.

In this project, two researchers will closely work together for sampling campaigns, morphological species identification and interpretation of results. One of them (based in Görlitz) will specialize in analysing functional traits using proteomics (MALDI-TOF) and compound stable isotope analysis in amino acids of Enchytraeidae. The other researcher (based in Frankfurt) will engage in molecular methods like metabarcoding and eDNA.

• Participate in field work campaigns (each covering one week, three in total) within Germany
• Short-term lab visits (each covering a maximum of four weeks, three in total) to Frankfurt, Göttingen, Wilhelmshaven
• Determination of Enchytraeidae and collection of morphological trait data
• Management of morphological trait database
• Preparation of samples for stable isotope and proteome measurements, analysis and interpretation of results
• Analysis of physical and chemical soil parameters
• Exchange of data and results within the project team, coupled with online meetings for joint interpretation of results
• Participation at national and international conferences for presenting results of the research project
• Writing of manuscripts for publication of research results in international journals

• Diploma or MSc degree in biology, ecology, zoology, or a related field
• Strong interest in soil fauna, soil biodiversity and ecology
• Willingness to participate in field work campaigns
• Good communication skills for working in a highly collaborative and international environment
• Very good spoken and written English language skills
• Team spirit
• Good knowledge in statistical analyses, preferably in R
• Experience in molecular lab work (barcoding, metabarcoding, data analysis, phylogeography)
• Experience in mass-spectrometer data analysis, e. g., 13 C, 15 N and proteome fingerprinting methods (MALDI-TOF)
• Experience in (soil) invertebrate identification using light microscopy
• Driving license

• An attractive job within the inspired and dynamic working…