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Senckenberg – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research (SGN) headquartered in Frankfurt am Main is seeking to fill the following position at the Senckenberg German Entomological Institute (SDEI) in Müncheberg starting as of October 2026

 

PhD Position in Coleoptera Phylogenomics and Morphological Evolution

(65%, part time)

 

Location: Müncheberg (Brandenburg)

Employment scope: part-time (65%, ca. 26 weekly working hours)

Type of contract: project-based for 36 months

Remuneration: collective agreement of the German Länder, TV-L E 13

 

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. The Senckenberg German Entomological Institute (SDEI) is located in Müncheberg, a town famous for hosting state-of-the art research facilities in the Berlin metropolitan area.

About the Project This PhD position is part of a DFG-funded project which aims to clarify the classification of Neotropical net-winged beetles (Coleoptera: Lycidae) affected by paedomorphosis – a syndrome where adult individuals retain juvenile traits.

Using a large-scale phylogenomic approach combined with integrative morphological investigations, the project seeks to identify diagnostic traits that distinguish these lineages. We aim to determine the timing of their divergence and explore the evolutionary drivers behind their convergent morphologies within the framework of a biogeographical model.

The research associate will have the opportunity to work towards a PhD through the University of Potsdam, while being based at the Senckenberg German Entomological Institute (SDEI) in Müncheberg. The successful candidate will engage in diverse scientific activities spanning fieldwork, phylogenomics, museum-based research, biogeographic analyses, and bioinformatics.

Your tasks

  • Plan and conduct field expeditions in the West Indies, including insect specimen collection using specialized tools and techniques (nets, Malaise, FIT, and light traps, sifting, etc.), and managing field logistics (travel planning, booking flights and hotels, renting cars).
  • Perform morphological and molecular laboratory work on beetle specimens, as well as execute bioinformatic, phylogenomic, and biogeographic analyses
  • Manage, curate, document, and analyse complex scientific datasets (e.g., genomic alignments) through the development and implementation of custom scripts and bioinformatics pipelines.
  • Prepare and publish scientific manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and present research findings at national and at international conferences
  • Collaborate closely with project partners on research objectives and joint publications

Your profile

  • Completed Master's degree in systematics, entomology, evolutionary biology, or a closely related field, coupled with a strong interest in insect evolution
  • Excellent knowledge of insect evolution, phylogenetics, and/or beetle systematics, capable of identifying all major insect orders and common families
  • The physical capability and willingness to conduct extensive fieldwork in the tropics, alongside general availability to travel internationally for museum visits, project collaborations, and conferences for up to four consecutive weeks, with an expected frequency of three to four times per year
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team
  • Strong communication and scientific writing skills in English

Desireable skills

  • Experience with imaging systems such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), micro-computed tomography (microCT), and macrophotography, as well as the editing and processing of these generated images
  • Experience with methods of divergence time estimation, ancestral range reconstruction, and trait evolution
  • Prior experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals
  • Knowledge of phylogenomic methods, including both computational assembly and wet-lab techniques

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 (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. 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.

Hot to apply?

Please upload your application (letter of motivation max. 2 pages including possible start date, 1-page-research summary, CV, two reference letters and your complete academic certification, e.g. Bachelor and Master degrees) as a single PDF file on our career site https://senckenberg.career.softgarden.de/ by 01 July 2026.

 

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/

For further information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung please visit www.senckenberg.de

Contact

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt am Main

 

For specific questions about this role, please contact Vinicius Ferreira at vinicius.ferreira@senckenberg.de. 

Join us in advancing ecological research through innovative technology! We look forward to your application!