Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in the Collaborative Project SiProtect Senckenberg Society for Nature Research in Germany

Senckenberg Society for Nature Research (SGN) in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, is offering a doctoral researcher position in the collaborative project SiProtect at its Müncheberg site. The role is part-time (65%, 26 weekly hours), funded under TV-L E 13, and is ideally due to start on 1 January 2027, with a fixed term running until 31 December 2030.

The PhD project focuses on insect communities associated with rye and on how crop resilience strategies influence pest and beneficial insects. The research combines field entomology, molecular identification, metabarcoding, and portable nanopore sequencing. A key aim is to develop and validate a low-cost, portable molecular laboratory based on Oxford Nanopore MinION technology for rapid species identification under field conditions.

Students will plan and conduct entomological monitoring using Malaise traps, pan traps, sticky traps, and sweep netting; identify insects morphologically and taxonomically; and help build a reference database for rye-associated insect communities. The project also includes establishing and optimising metabarcoding workflows for bulk insect samples, comparing molecular and conventional identification methods, and developing computational pipelines for molecular species identification and insect community analysis.

Beyond the technical work, the doctoral researcher will assess how rye resilience strategies affect insect communities and will integrate morphological and molecular monitoring data within the interdisciplinary SiProtect consortium. Results are expected to contribute to sustainable crop protection, biodiversity monitoring, and transferable field-based molecular workflows. The position includes publication of results in international journals and presentation at scientific conferences and project meetings.

Applicants should hold a completed Master’s degree in entomology, biology, ecology, molecular biology, biodiversity research, or a related field. The advert asks for good knowledge of major insect orders and families of the German fauna, practical molecular biology experience, interest in DNA barcoding or metabarcoding, basic R and/or Python skills, and good written and spoken English; German is helpful. A valid Class B driving licence and willingness to undertake fieldwork are required. Experience with preserved entomological specimens is advantageous.

Applications must be submitted electronically as a single PDF through the Senckenberg careers page. The application should include a cover letter, CV, and copies of educational and employment certificates if available. The deadline is 22 November 2026. Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Lara-Sophie Dey by email, while recruitment process questions should be sent to the recruiting address.