Job Announcement Ref. #01-26026

Senckenberg – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research (SGN), headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, is seeking to fill the following position in the Department of Terrestrial Zoology, at the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, as soon as possible:

Research Scientist and Curator of Herpetology (f/m/d)

(Full-time / Part-time options are available)

The successful candidate will strengthen the scientific development of our internationally renowned herpetological collection and conduct innovative research in the fields of herpetological evolution, systematics and/or ecology.

Location: Frankfurt
Employment scope: Full time
Type of contract: Tenure Track, initially limited to a maximum of six years, a permanent extension is possible
Remuneration: Collective agreement of the state Hesse (TV-H) / E13

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

Your tasks

• Conduct innovative evolutionary and/or ecological research that makes use of the extensive herpetological collections
• Take advantage of a broad scope of methods (e.g. bioacoustics, molecular or genomic methods, modern imaging techniques, machine learning) to address questions of amphibian and/or reptile evolution, systematics and/or ecology (incl. conservation or disease ecology)
• Preserve, curate and develop the herpetological collection; guide the transformation of the collection into the digital era
• Publish scientific results in international scientific journals
• Acquire third-party funding to establish a herpetological working group
• Provide scientific guidance to technical staff and support to guests and young scientists in collections-based research
• Contribute to our vocational training of museum technicians
• Active participation in the SGN programs incl. dialogue with the general public

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Biology or related field
• Internationally recognized scientific expertise with respect to current career level
• Species knowledge, taxonomic expertise and an understanding of evolutionary biology research in the field of herpetology
• Knowledge of modern herpetological research methods (e.g. bioacoustics, molecular methods, and/or modern imaging techniques, including X-ray diagnostics)

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in scientific work with and digital development of herpetological collections
• Experience and clear vision of attracting third-party funding
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; willingness to learn German is appreciated
• Experience in or willingness to lead a research and collections team

We Offer

• An inclusive and innovative research environment with a leading international network of scientists, policymakers, and research organizations
• A dynamic working environment in Frankfurt, a diverse and vibrant city offering a high quality of life
• Flexible working hours – mobile working options – support with childcare or caring for family members (certified by the "audit berufundfamilie") – employee ID card with free admission to municipal museums – annual special payment – collectively agreed vacation entitlement – company pension plan (ZVK)

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 age, gender, ethnic or cultural origin, religion and ideology, sexual orientation and identity or disability. Women are particularly encouraged to apply, as they are underrepresented in the field of this position; in the case of equal qualifications and suitability they will be given preference. 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.