Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in the Collaborative Project SiProtect

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung; Müncheberg; Vor Ort; EUR 29.000 - 40.000; Teilzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Flexible working hours

Mobile working options

Museum access for Senckenberg museums

Annual special payment

Company pension plan

Vacation entitlement

Zusammenfassung

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung seeks a Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) at the Senckenberg German Entomological Institute (SDEI) in Müncheberg, starting 1 January 2027. The role is part-time (65%) under TV-L E13, fixed-term to 31 December 2030.

You will explore rye-associated insect communities, combining field monitoring with molecular identification and metabarcoding. Responsibilities include planning entomological research, standardised sampling, reference database development,

Qualifikationen

• Completed Master’s degree in entomology, biology, ecology, molecular biology, biodiversity research or a related discipline.
• Good knowledge of the major insect orders and families of the German fauna; experience using taxonomic identification literature.
• Basic practical experience in molecular biology (DNA extraction, PCR, gel documentation).
• Interest in DNA barcoding, metabarcoding or molecular species identification.

Aufgaben

• Plan and conduct entomological research activities within the SiProtect programme, focusing on rye-associated insects.
• Conduct standardised insect monitoring using Malaise traps, pan traps, sticky traps and sweep netting.
• Identify collected insects and contribute to a reference database for rye-associated insect communities.
• Establish, optimise and validate metabarcoding approaches and compare with conventional methods.
• Develop portable sequencing workflows using Oxford Nanopore MinION for rapid field identification.
• Develop computational pipelines for molecular species identification and insect community analysis.

Kenntnisse

Insect identification knowledge

Molecular biology basics

DNA barcoding / metabarcoding interest

R or Python basics

English proficiency

Ausbildung

Master’s degree in entomology, biology, ecology, molecular biology, biodiversity research or related discipline

Jobbeschreibung

Senckenberg Society for Nature Research (SGN) headquartered in Frankfurt am Main is seeking to fill the following position at its Senckenberg German Entomological Institute (SDEI) in Müncheberg starting as of 1 January 2027

Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in the Collaborative Project SiProtect

Employment scope: part-time, 65% (26 weekly working hours)

Type of contract: ideally starting on 01 January 2027; fixed term until 31 December 2030

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

Location

Müncheberg (Brandenburg)

About the project

Exploring insect communities with molecular tools. How do crop resilience strategies affect insect communities - and how can molecular technologies help us monitor these changes directly in the field?

As a PhD Researcher in the collaborative project SiProtect, you will investigate insect communities associated with rye and contribute to the development of innovative approaches for species identification and biodiversity monitoring.

SiProtect explores how amorphous silicate (ASi) can strengthen rye resilience to biotic and abiotic stressors, including insect pests, associated pathogens and drought. Your research will connect field-based entomological monitoring with molecular identification, metabarcoding and portable nanopore sequencing.

A particular focus will be the development and validation of a low-cost, portable molecular laboratory based on Oxford Nanopore MinION technology. The resulting workflow aims to accelerate species identification under field conditions and provide a transferable approach for sustainable crop protection and biodiversity monitoring.

Your tasks

• Plan and conduct entomological research activities within the SiProtect research programme, with a focus on insect communities associated with rye
• Conduct standardised insect monitoring using Malaise traps, pan traps, sticky traps and sweep netting
• Identify collected insects using morphological and taxonomic approaches and contribute to a reference database for rye-associated insect communities
• Establish, optimise and validate metabarcoding approaches for bulk insect samples and compare their performance with conventional identification methods
• Portable sequencing: Develop and validate a low-cost, portable molecular laboratory based on Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing for rapid field-based species identification
• Develop and apply computational pipelines for molecular species identification and insect community analysis
• Assess responses of pest and beneficial insect communities to rye resilience strategies and integrate morphological and molecular monitoring data
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research within the SiProtect consortium and develop new approaches for sustainable crop protection and biodiversity monitoring
• Publish research findings in international journals and present results at scientific conferences and project meetings

Your profile

• Completed Master’s degree in entomology, biology, ecology, molecular biology, biodiversity research or a related discipline
• Good knowledge of the major insect orders and families of the German fauna and experience using taxonomic identification literature
• Basic practical experience in molecular biology, ideally including DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel documentation
• Interest in and ideally initial experience with DNA barcoding, metabarcoding or molecular species identification
• Basic programming skills in R and/or Python
• Experience handling dried or ethanol-preserved entomological specimens is an advantage
• Ability to organize research activities independently and work in a structured and reliable manner
• Strong communication skills and an interest in interdisciplinary and collaborative research
• Valid Class B driving licence and willingness to undertake fieldwork
• Good written and spoken English, German skills are an advantage

What you can expect

This position offers the opportunity to combine field entomology, molecular biology, metabarcoding, nanopore sequencing and bioinformatics within an interdisciplinary research project. You will contribute to a scientifically relevant question at the interface of crop resilience, biodiversity and sustainable agriculture, while developing a transferable methodological approach for field-based insect monitoring.

We look forward to welcoming a curious and collaborative researcher who is keen to develop new methods and contribute their own ideas to SiProtect.

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

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 ethnic or cultural origin, age, gender, ethnic or cultural origin, religion or belief, age, sexual identity or and ideology, sexual orientation and identity or disability. 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.

Contact

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt am Main

If you have any technical questions regarding the position, please feel free to contact Dr. Lara‑Sophie Dey at [e-mail].

For any questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact us [e-mail].