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

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

(part time, 65%)

Location: Müncheberg (Brandenburg)

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

The Senckenberg Society for Nature Research is a member of the Leibniz Association and has been investigating the “Earth System” worldwide for more than 200 years, examining the past, analysing the present, and developing projections for the future. We conduct integrative geobiodiversity research with the aim of understanding nature in all its complexity and diversity in order to preserve it as the foundation of life for future generations and to ensure its sustainable use. Across eight institutes and five research stations throughout Germany, scientists from more than 40 countries conduct research at the highest international level.

Located east of Berlin, the Senckenberg German Entomological Institute (SDEI) is situated on a modern science campus. An international team of scientists conducts insect research, complemented by an information centre with archive and library.

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. 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.

Would you like to apply?

If so, please upload your complete and detailed application materials (cover letter, current resume, copies of your educational and employment certificates, if available) in electronic form as a single PDF file by 22 November 2026 to the careers page on our website:


Please note that applications for this position can only be accepted if they are submitted via our online application portal. This ensures that your application is processed correctly and can be considered as part of the selection procedure. Applications sent by email to the recruiting team or directly to individual staff members cannot be considered.

For data protection information on the processing of personal data as part of the application and selection process, please refer to the privacy policy on our homepage at

For further information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung please visit

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 [email protected].

For any questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected].