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

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, starting as soon as possible:

Research Scientiest 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 / part-time options are available
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 and three natural history museums across Germany and scientists from over 40 nations. Our headquarter is located in the thriving commercial metropolis of Frankfurt 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

Your profile

  • 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) 

Desireable skills

  • 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

  • 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 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.

How to apply?

Please send your application (letter of motivation with a short description of your previous and current research foci, a CV, certificates of academic achievements, list of publications as well as names of two scientific references) electronically (as a single PDF) by 28 June 2026 stating the reference number #01-26026. 

Apply under:

Research-Scientist-and-Curator-of-Herpetology

Initial online interviews are planned for 08./09. September and in person interviews are planned for 06. - 09. October 2026.

With the application you agree that your personal data will be shared with an external member of the search committee, Prof. Dr. Miguel Vences, TU Braunschweig for the purpose and over the duration of the recruiting procedure.

Contact

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
Senckenberganlage 25
60325 Frankfurt am Main

recruiting@senckenberg.de

For specific questions about this role, please contact Prof. Dr. Steffen Pauls at Steffen.Pauls@senckenberg.de

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 https://www.senckenberg.de/en/imprint/.

Please visit our website at www.senckenberg.de for further information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung.