The Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB) is a research institute located in Oldenburg. It studies marine biodiversity and its importance for the function of marine ecosystems, the people linked to those ecosystems, and their governance. In doing so, it develops the basis for marine nature conservation and management. The HIFMB was founded in 2017 and is an institutional cooperation between the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), and the Carl von Ossietzky University in Oldenburg linked to the Institute of Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM) and Institute for Social Sciences (IfSol).
Research Scientist in the field of molecular zooplankton biodiversity (f/d/x/m)
Background
The joint project ZooM-In contributes to the further development and standardisation of modern survey methods in marine biodiversity monitoring and is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) within the initiative ‘Sustainable biodiversity monitoring’ by the National Biodiversity Monitoring Center.
ZooM-In aims to establish guidelines for a standardised application of the new molecular and imaging methods in zooplankton monitoring, based on the validation of four different methodological approaches during a monitoring campaign. This will be carried out in close coordination and communication with federal and state authorities to ensure and consolidate the compatibility and integration of the further developed methods into existing monitoring structures.
You will work on this project in close cooperation with the German Centre for Marine Biodiversity Research (DZMB, Senckenberg) and will focus on the molecular genetic work.
Your Tasks
- Assessment of zooplankton biodiversity using molecular genetic methods
- DNA metabarcoding analyses of bulk zooplankton and environmental DNA samples, including laboratory work, data processing, and biodiversity analyses
- Sample archiving and provision of data, scripts, and results in accordance with the FAIR principles
- Cross-validation of zooplankton biodiversity assessment by molecular genetics, traditional microscopy, and imaging methods in collaboration with DZMB
- Contribution to and support for project management led by DZMB Senckenberg
- Organisation of and participation in monthly expeditions (March-October 2027, 3-4 days per month) to the North Sea. This task involves taking samples and preserving zooplankton and environmental DNA samples
- Organisation of project workshops
- Communication of project results to stakeholders
- Publication of project results in peer-reviewed journals
- Writing of a project report
Your Profile
- Master's degree or PhD in marine biology, natural sciences or related disciplines
- Expertise in the application of DNA metabarcoding of zooplankton and/or environmental DNA
- Experience in data analyses, preferably using R
- Experience with sea-going expeditions on research vessels and sampling of zooplankton and eDNA; resilience to motion sickness
- Willingness to participate in inter- and transdisciplinary work
- Very good communication skills, ability to work in a highly collaborative, trans- and interdisciplinary as well as international environment
- Very good command of English and German (approximately equivalent to CEFR level C1)
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
- Taxonomic understanding of marine fauna with a focus on the North Sea
- Experience in transdisciplinary research and stakeholder dialogue
Further Information
- Contact in day-to-day work: collaboration mainly with up to 5 people
- Communication: almost equal share (internal/external) in the following ways
- By telephone: frequently (daily or several times a week)
- E-mail: frequently (daily or several times a week)
- Video conferencing (e.g. Webex): frequently (daily or several times a week)
- Personal contact in presence: frequently (daily or several times a week)
- Movement around the workplace: regularly within the building (e.g., between departments or floors)
- Business trips: occasional (several times a year)
- Expeditions: occur
Please note that the general conditions listed serve as a guide and may vary depending on the specific area of application.
For further information on the specific position, please reach out to Dr Silke Laakmann (silke.laakmann@hifmb.de; +49 471 4831-2566).
If you have any general questions about the application process, our Recruiting team will be glad to support you – please contact Lara Manthey (bewerbungsmanagement@awi.de, +49 471 4831-1097).
In this overview you will find further contact persons for various matters.
This is a full-time position, limited to 3 years. It is also suitable for part-time employment. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level 13. Employment typically starts at experience levels 1 to 3. For more information on the current pay scale, please visit our careers page.
The place of employment will be Oldenburg.
We offer
- Excellent research environment with access to globally unique infrastructure, comprehensive datasets, and international expeditions
- Opportunity to develop and pursue independent scientific ideas and innovative research approaches addressing societally relevant questions
- Close scientific collaboration and interdisciplinary cooperation within the institute as well as with national and international partners
- An international working environment with daily interaction with colleagues from around the world
- Opportunities for professional and personal development
- Flexible working hours
- 30 days of annual leave (full-time), plus additional days off on 24 and 31 December
- Annual special payment in accordance with the German public sector collective agreement (TVöD Bund)
- Occupational health promotion and company fitness programme with Hansefit
- Support services and an established culture promoting work–life balance, e.g. through our family office offering childcare services (e.g. holiday programmes) as well as advice on family and care responsibilities
- Occupational pension scheme (VBL)
AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, disabilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities.
Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.
AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways. And as a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our Family Office and International Office will be glad to support you, even before you start at AWI.
We look forward to your application!
Please submit your application online only by 22 November 2026. We kindly ask you to apply in English. No photo is required – we value your qualifications and experience.
Reference number: 26/100/D/HIFMB-b
