Research Assistant; m​/f​/d - algae science​/microbiology​/aquatic ecology

The University of Rostock offers a diverse, varied and challenging position in a tradition-conscious, yet innovative, modern and family-friendly university in a lively city by the sea.

At the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Applied Ecology and Phycology we are filling the following position as of 15.04.2026 on a temporary basis for the duration of the DBU project “Tiny but important - benthic diatoms in the Baltic Sea: developing an innovative monitoring method for biodiversity using eDNA and AI-supported imaging techniques” ending on 14.04.2029:

Start date as of 15.04.2026

Working hours part-time, 26 hours per week

Remuneration pay group 13 TV-L

Location Rostock Südstadt

Tender number P 6/2025

Limitation limited until 14.04.2029

Application time

HR department:
Lisa Malke
Phone number: 0381/498-1281

Department:
Prof. Dr. Ulf Karsten
Phone number: 0381/498-6090

• field work along the Baltic Sea coast, recording and processing environmental data, sampling of sediment cores
• purification, isolation and establishment of clonal benthic diatom cultures from the sediment cores
• culture maintenance and preparation of permanent slides
• taxonomic identification using morphological traits and DNA markers
• evaluation of the benthic diatom biodiversity along the Baltic Sea coast
• multivariate statistics for developing a new benthic diatom-based bioindicator system for environmental changes in the coastal region
• maintaining close contact to project partners and stakeholders
• publication of scientific results
• depending on the qualification the position offers possibility for a PhD or alternatively for a postdoc

• completed university degree (state examination, diploma, master's degree, or comparable degree) in the field of life sciences (e.g., aquatic ecology, marine biology, plant physiology, microbiology) or a similar field of study with at least good results;
• knowledge of and interest in algae and related methods (ecological, physiological, molecular biological, and/or biotechnological);
• experience in cultivation techniques and taxonomy of algae is desirable;
• willingness to actively participate in field work and meetings of the collaborative project is expected;
• minimum physical fitness requirements for working in the field;
• confident written and spoken English.

Equal opportunities are important to us. We welcome applications from suitable severely disabled people or people from traditionally underrepresented groups. We aim to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching and therefore encourage suitably qualified women to apply. We welcome applications from people of other nationalities or with a migration background.

We will determine the experience level individually, taking into account your previous professional experience.

The temporal limitation of the employment relationship is based on § 2 (2) Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz.

We look forward to receiving your application (cover letter, CV, degree certificate stating your final grade) by 23.02.2026 at the latest. We can only consider applications received via our homepage. Please send us your documents via the ‘Online application’ button at the end of a job offer. Unfortunately, we cannot accept e‑mail applications.

Incomplete application documents may not be considered in the further course of the selection process.

Unfortunately, we can not cover application and travel costs.

Universität Rostock
18051 Rostock
Tel.:  - 0

Sitze des Rektorats:
Universitätsplatz 1
18055 Rostock