Leading Scientist (f/m/x) in Water Research
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Magdeburg seeks a Leading Scientist for the AquaResponse project. The role leads an independent research program with international collaboration and a strong path toward tenure-track leadership at UFZ.
You will establish designs, secure funding, and manage a research group, contributing to public outreach and science communication within a dynamic environmental research environment.
Qualifications
- Master's degree and PhD in environmental science with a focus on aquatic ecology.
- Experience in aquatic ecology and experimental analysis of stressor effects on running-water ecosystems.
- Excellent publication record and ability to secure third-party funding.
Responsibilities
- Lead independent research programme analysing stressors, biodiversity, functions and resilience of aquatic ecosystems.
- Secure third-party funding from sources like DFG, EU or BMFTR.
- Lead the research group and supervise doctoral researchers; manage resources.
- Advance MOBICOS infrastructure and coordinate with partners from environmental management and practice.
- Disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications and international talks.
Skills
Education
Job description
Magdeburg , Flexible and mobile working arrangements are supported in accordance with institutional policies.
100% (39 h/week)
The job position is available for full-time or part-time employment.
limited contract/ The position offers a tenure track perspective. The fixed-term contract (initially 3 years and further 3 years after positive interim evaluation) will be based on the individual candidate's circumstances.
Remuneration according to the TVöD public-sector up to pay grade 13 including attractive public-sector social security benefits.
Your contact for any questions you may have about the job:
markus.weitere[at]ufz.de
To ensure a fair selection process, please submit your application (cover letter, CV, and relevant supporting documents) via our online portal without a photo, age information, or details about your marital status.
The UFZ values diversity and is actively committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of their origin, religion, beliefs, disability, age or sexual identity.
We welcome people who represent diverse backgrounds, identities and perspectives. We therefore particularly encourage people who are affected by structural discrimination to apply to us.
The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is a world-leading institution in environmental research and a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest scientific organisation. With approximately 1,200 employees across Leipzig, Halle, and Magdeburg, we have been conducting research since 1991 using a transdisciplinary approach to address the most pressing challenges of our time: biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental pollution. Our goal is to translate excellent research into practical solutions for policymakers, business, and society, and to serve as a reliable partner in supporting transformation processes toward a sustainable and just future for current and future generations. We foster a culture of collaboration, openness, and diversity within a work environment that actively promotes creativity and personal development.
To pioneer outstanding aquatic ecosystem research at UFZ's mesocosm facility MOBICOS, the UFZ is seeking an excellent leader for the 6-year project „AquaResponse — Experimental Analysis of Aquatic Ecosystem Responses to Present and Future Environmental Change”. The project is structured into two three-year phases, with the second phase contingent on a successful interim evaluation. The position offers a tenure-track perspective.
- Research Concept & International Collaboration
Develop and implement an independent research programme to analyse the effects of present and future stressors as well as management options on the biodiversity, functions, processes and resilience of running-water ecosystems. Set-up experimental designs for mesocosm and field studies, including stressor scenarios, management measures, control approaches, monitoring programmes and statistical analysis strategies. Establish international research collaborations in these areas. - Third-Party Funding Acquisition
Secure third-party research funding (e.g., from DFG, EU or BMFTR) sufficient to establish and staff a dedicated research group supporting the project's focus. - Scientific Leadership
Lead the research group and manage its resources supporting the project's focus, including co-supervision of doctoral researchers and responsible planning, coordination, and oversight of personnel, financial, and infrastructure resources for the group and, where relevant, the research infrastructure. - Coordination & Management of the Research Infrastructure
Strategically advance the MOBICOS infrastructure towards a well-utilised and quality-assured research infrastructure (RI) that can be operated independently by UFZ staff, in coordination with the RI's governing committee, and enable application-oriented experiments and recommendations for action, in cooperation with partners from environmental management and practice. - Public Engagement & Dissemination
Communicate the project's research findings through peer-reviewed publications, internal UFZ presentations, and international conference talks. Lead the facility's public outreach, e.g. through digital science communication, public lecture series, or interactive community events
- Line management responsibility for your own working group and a voice in strategic and financial decisions at department level
- Active integration into leading national and international research networks and support in building your professional profile
- Freedom to shape your own research agenda between basic and applied sciences, embedded in strong scientific networks
- Access to excellent research infrastructure and a well‑equipped technical working environment to support your research
- Active mentoring and leadership training
- Clear target agreements and regular feedback discussions to support your ongoing career development
- A supportive, flexible working environment with strong support for work-life balance, accommodating individual needs, as well as support for international staff
- A vibrant region with high quality of life and cultural diversity
- Master's degree and PhD in a field of environmental science with a focus on aquatic ecology
- Experience in the field of aquatic ecology and the experimental analysis of stressor effects on the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems under natural conditions (mesocosms)
- Research experience in analysing ecological processes and experimentally investigating ecological relationships, preferentially across different compartments of running-water ecosystems (incl. hyporheic zone, benthos)
- Excellent publication record in relation to career stage in at least one of these research fields
- Good record of third-party funding acquisition
- Experience in scientific cooperation, e.g., within project groups or scientific networks
- Experience in supervision (Bachelor, Master, and/or PhD) and/or leadership responsibilities
- Excellent written and spoken English skills
The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is a world-leading institution in environmental research and a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest scientific organisation. With approximately 1,200 employees across Leipzig, Halle, and Magdeburg, we have been conducting research since 1991 using a transdisciplinary approach to address the most pressing challenges of our time: biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental pollution. Our goal is to translate excellent research into practical solutions for policymakers, business, and society, and to serve as a reliable partner in supporting transformation processes toward a sustainable and just future for current and future generations. We foster a culture of collaboration, openness, and diversity within a work environment that actively promotes creativity and personal development.
To pioneer outstanding aquatic ecosystem research at UFZ's mesocosm facility MOBICOS, the UFZ is seeking an excellent leader for the 6-year project „AquaResponse — Experimental Analysis of Aquatic Ecosystem Responses to Present and Future Environmental Change”. The project is structured into two three-year phases, with the second phase contingent on a successful interim evaluation. The position offers a tenure-track perspective.
- Research Concept & International Collaboration
Develop and implement an independent research programme to analyse the effects of present and future stressors as well as management options on the biodiversity, functions, processes and resilience of running-water ecosystems. Set-up experimental designs for mesocosm and field studies, including stressor scenarios, management measures, control approaches, monitoring programmes and statistical analysis strategies. Establish international research collaborations in these areas. - Third-Party Funding Acquisition
Secure third-party research funding (e.g., from DFG, EU or BMFTR) sufficient to establish and staff a dedicated research group supporting the project's focus. - Scientific Leadership
Lead the research group and manage its resources supporting the project's focus, including co-supervision of doctoral researchers and responsible planning, coordination, and oversight of personnel, financial, and infrastructure resources for the group and, where relevant, the research infrastructure. - Coordination & Management of the Research Infrastructure
Strategically advance the MOBICOS infrastructure towards a well-utilised and quality-assured research infrastructure (RI) that can be operated independently by UFZ staff, in coordination with the RI's governing committee, and enable application-oriented experiments and recommendations for action, in cooperation with partners from environmental management and practice. - Public Engagement & Dissemination
Communicate the project's research findings through peer-reviewed publications, internal UFZ presentations, and international conference talks. Lead the facility's public outreach, e.g. through digital science communication, public lecture series, or interactive community events
- Line management responsibility for your own working group and a voice in strategic and financial decisions at department level
- Active integration into leading national and international research networks and support in building your professional profile
- Freedom to shape your own research agenda between basic and applied sciences, embedded in strong scientific networks
- Access to excellent research infrastructure and a well‑equipped technical working environment to support your research
- Active mentoring and leadership training
- Clear target agreements and regular feedback discussions to support your ongoing career development
- A supportive, flexible working environment with strong support for work-life balance, accommodating individual needs, as well as support for international staff
- A vibrant region with high quality of life and cultural diversity
- Master's degree and PhD in a field of environmental science with a focus on aquatic ecology
- Experience in the field of aquatic ecology and the experimental analysis of stressor effects on the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems under natural conditions (mesocosms)
- Research experience in analysing ecological processes and experimentally investigating ecological relationships, preferentially across different compartments of running-water ecosystems (incl. hyporheic zone, benthos)
- Excellent publication record in relation to career stage in at least one of these research fields
- Good record of third-party funding acquisition
- Experience in scientific cooperation, e.g., within project groups or scientific networks
- Experience in supervision (Bachelor, Master, and/or PhD) and/or leadership responsibilities
- Well-developed communication skills
- Excellent written and spoken English skills
The anticipated starting date is February 1, 2027.
Applications must be submitted by October 28, 2026.
Short interviews are planned to take place online November 4-5, 2026, followed by in-person interviews at UFZ Magdeburg November 18-19, 2026. As part of the selection process, candidates invited to the in-person interviews November 18-19 are asked to deliver a presentation outlining their vision for the position and their strategic approach to developing their research programme, followed by a structured interview with the committee.
Please note that external experts will support the selection process alongside UFZ representatives.
Outstanding performance in fulfilling the project may provide the opportunity to obtain a permanent position.
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