Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/x, No. 509-26)

uni-due; Essen; Hybrid; EUR 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Duisburg-Essen seeks a postdoctoral researcher to lead the statistical core of the TrendDNA 2.0 project. You will develop reproducible tools for DNA metabarcoding time series and analyze rivers and soils to derive genetic indicators and climate-related metrics.

You will publish in international journals, present at conferences, and co-supervise doctoral and Master’s students, with opportunities for further academic qualification.

Qualifications

• A completed university degree (Master’s or equivalent) and a doctorate in biology, environmental sciences, bioinformatics, statistics or a related field.
• Expert knowledge and proven skills in statistical data analysis are required, ideally in biodiversity time series analyses.
• A track record demonstrated by publications and R scripts or other code (e.g. public repositories).
• Further programming skills (e.g. Python, package development, version control) are an advantage.
• Willingness to carry out analyses independently, to attend conferences and to present data sets and results.
• Professional written and spoken English is required; German language skills are an advantage.
• Team spirit and the ability to communicate statistical results clearly to non-specialists, including authorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop a modular, reproducible statistical toolbox (R and/or Python) for DNA metabarcoding and metagenomic time series.
• Analyse spatio-temporal biodiversity trends in rivers and soils based on the curated project data set.
• Develop and validate new genetic indicators and test their robustness, sensitivity and uncertainty.
• Lead the development of a DNA-based climate indicator for climate change adaptation and validate it against climate data.
• Derive statistical requirements for robust trend detection and translate results into guidance for environmental authorities.
• Carry out analyses independently, publish results in international journals, present at conferences, and share code openly.
• Co-supervise the doctoral researcher and Master’s students in the project.
• Support teaching in the Faculty of Biology.

Skills

Statistical analysis

R programming

Python programming

Science communication

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent

PhD in biology/environmental sciences/bioinformatics/statistics

Tools

R

Python

Git

Job description

Faculty of Biology, Aquatic Ecosystem

With more than 40,000 students, UDE is one of the largest universities in Germany and has established water research as one of its central research profiles, bundled in the Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU) and the Collaborative Research Centre 1439 RESIST on river ecosystems under multiple stressors. The Aquatic Ecosystem Research group (Prof. Dr. Florian Leese) is a dynamic, international molecular biodiversity group. We develop and apply environmental DNA (eDNA) methods – from DNA metabarcoding to metagenomics – for biodiversity monitoring, operate our own Genomics Core Facility and contribute to the European and international standardisation of these methods.

The position is part of the project TrendDNA 2.0, funded by the German Environment Agency (UBA) for four years. Using archived samples of the German Environmental Specimen Bank, the project extends unique eDNA time series of German rivers and soils, which already span up to two decades, by more than 1,800 new samples (DNA metabarcoding with several markers and metagenomics). As postdoctoral researcher, you are responsible for leading the statistical core of the project: a reproducible statistical toolbox for DNA-based biodiversity time series, a set of validated genetic indicators, and two case studies on spatio-temporal biodiversity trends in rivers and soils and on a DNA-based indicator for the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (DAS). You will work closely with the TrendDNA experts as well as with leading experts in ecological time-series analysis (Prof. Dr. Peter Haase and Dr. James Sinclair, Senckenberg Society for Nature Research), and with the partners of a parallel UBA project on One Health indicators.

Start of employment

as soon as possible

Duration of employment

until 30 September 2030 (end of project)

Working time

39 hours 50 Min. (100%) (part-time employment is possible)

• You develop a modular, reproducible statistical toolbox (R and/or Python) for DNA metabarcoding and metagenomic time series – from alpha and beta diversity and community analyses to non-linear and hierarchical trend models, change-point detection and the integration of environmental variables.
• You analyse spatio-temporal biodiversity trends in rivers and soils based on the curated project data set.
• You develop and validate new genetic indicators (taxonomic, structural and functional), define reference states and thresholds, and test their robustness, sensitivity and uncertainty.
• You lead the development of a DNA-based climate indicator (e.g. a community temperature index) for the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change and validate it against temperature, precipitation and extreme events.
• You derive statistical requirements for robust trend detection (e.g. time-series length, sampling frequency) and translate your results into guidance and reporting standards for environmental authorities.
• You carry out analyses independently, publish your results in international peer-reviewed journals, present data sets and results at conferences and to the project’s advisory board, and make your code openly available.
• You co-supervise the doctoral researcher and Master’s students in the project.
• As the position is partly funded from the University’s budget, you support teaching in the Faculty of Biology to a small extent (e.g. 1 weekly teaching hour per semester and supervision of Bachelor’s or Master’s theses).

You will be given the opportunity to pursue further academic qualification as part of this role.

Your profile

• A completed university degree (Master’s or equivalent) and a doctorate in biology, environmental sciences, bioinformatics, statistics or a related field.
• Expert knowledge and proven skills in statistical data analysis are required, ideally in the context of (genetic) biodiversity time series analyses.
• A track record demonstrated by publications and R scripts or other code (e.g. public repositories).
• Further programming skills (e.g. Python, package development, version control) are an advantage.
• Willingness to carry out analyses independently, to attend conferences and to present data sets and results.
• Professional written and spoken English is required; German language skills are an advantage.
• Team spirit and the ability to communicate statistical results clearly to non-specialists, including authorities.

We offer you

• Stable overall conditions in the public service and a research-focused environment with an international scope.
• A meaningful research topic with direct relevance for national environmental monitoring, in close exchange with the German Environment Agency and national and international partners.
• An attractive work environment based on mutual appreciation and respect.
• The opportunity to develop your own research profile and further academic career, embedded in the Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU) and a strong international network.
• A wide selection of further training and education opportunities.
• Various canteens and cafés run by the Studierendenwerk on our campuses.
• Attractive discounts through Corporate Benefits.
• A family-friendly university culture (e.g. care services for your children, advice on family care duties).
• A sought-after location and an infrastructure featuring very good accessibility by public transport and free parking.
• Flexible working hours and the opportunity to work partly from home.
• 30 days annual leave with a 5-day work week plus additional days off on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
• Fair remuneration in accordance with collective agreements (TV-L), including an annual bonus and a supplementary pension scheme.
• Numerous sports and health services (e.g. university sport).

2026-11-25

Code number

509-26

Application

We are a young, innovative university located in the heart of the Ruhr metropolis. We pride ourselves in outstanding research and teaching, think in terms of opportunities rather than limitations and develop ideas with a view to the future. Diversity is an integral part of our culture as we promote potential and are committed to upholding genuine equity in education.

In accordance with the State Equal Opportunities Act, women with the same qualifications are given preferential consideration.

Applications from suitable disabled persons and persons of equal status within the meaning of §2 para.3 SGBIX are desired.

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