Head of Entomology Information Center

Job announcement ref. #09-24003

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN) was founded in 1817 and is one of the most important research institutions around biological diversity. At its eleven sites throughout Germany, scientists from over 40 nations conduct cutting-edge research on an international scale. At the site in Müncheberg, Brandenburg, the Senckenberg German Entomological Institute (SDEI) is located in a research town in the Berlin area, with state-of-the-art scientific facilities.

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung intends to fill at the Senckenberg German Entomological Institute (SDEI) located in Müncheberg, near Berlin, as soon as possible the position of a

Head of Entomology Information Center

(tenure track / full time / part time options available)

Senckenberg is committed to study the causes and effects of biodiversity loss in the Anthropocene. As part of our strategic development, we launched an ambitious long-term research effort in “Anthropocene Biodiversity Loss” encompassing the modules “Collectomics”, “Biodiversity Genomics”, and “Solution Labs”. Objectives include the transformation of natural history collections into the digital era, studying biodiversity from the genome to the ecosystem levels and offering exploratory spaces for science and society to develop common solutions to Anthropocene challenges.

Within this research effort, Senckenberg takes innovative steps in collection-based research and data science. The objective of “Collectomics” is to make current and future natural history collections digitally accessible and to improve integration and collaboration across regions, collections, and disciplines. This will enable broader, more holistic biodiversity research, for the benefit of people and nature.

Further aligning collection development with identified knowledge gaps will be crucial for advancing our understanding in this field. To this end, it is imperative to enhance traditional collection-based research by integrating across all Senckenberg sites cutting-edge molecular genetic technologies, digital imaging, historical DNA analysis (hDNA) methods and artificial intelligence (AI), among others.

Your tasks:

• Development of digital research platforms to unlock extensive natural science collections, libraries and archives in order to make use of their data, information and knowledge. Utilising these platforms for enhancing the integration of biological, geological and cultural diversity.
• Leading and advancing the department “Information Centre Entomology”.
• Attracting outstanding talents, and establishment of an independent world-class research team; training of staff, future generations of students, and early-career scientists.
• Acquisition of external funding (e.g. DFG, EU-programs, applied projects)
• Integration of and collaboration with core projects of Senckenberg and with partner institutes, in particular advancing the recently established research domain Anthropocene Biodiversity Loss
• Preferably editorship for “Contributions to Entomology” and for entomological issues of the “Senckenberg Monographs” (till now “Nova Supplementa Entomologica”)
• Contributing to general functions and the management of the Institute

Your qualification:

• A doctoral degree in natural science, media or biodiversity informatics, with in-depth knowledge in big data science related to biodiversity s.l.
• Experience in management and analysis of big data, and preferably in object digitisation as well as in data and text mining
• Strong publication record in relevant research domains
• Willingness to participate in inter- and transdisciplinary research; good communication skills, and experience in international cooperation
• Experience in acquisition of external funding
• Profound knowledge of entomology is desired
• Proficiency in both German and English languages is essential.

We offer:

• An attractive and challenging position in a research institution of global reputation that values diversity, openness and creativity
• A tenure-track position (according to the SGN tenure-track process)
• A salary that reflects the tasks and responsibilities of the position based on the collective agreement for public service (TV-L) in the state of Brandenburg
• Excellent opportunities for further qualification, career development and collaboration across disciplines and institutes
• Flexible working hours – support with childcare or caring for family members (certified by the "audit berufundfamilie") – a collectively agreed special annual payment – collectively agreed vacation entitlement – company pension plan

Location of employment:       Müncheberg (Brandenburg, close to Berlin, Germany)

Working hours:                      Full time / part time options available

Type of contract:                   Employment is initially limited to three years, depending on

                                             experience and status. A long-term perspective is provided. 

Salary:                                  According to the collective agreement for public service TV-L

                                            (E 14 or E15)

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 and will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications.

Applicants with disabilities (“Schwerbehinderung”) will be given preferential 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.

We welcome your application!

Please submit your complete and comprehensive application (letter of motivation with a short description of your previous and current research foci, your detailed CV, certificates of academic achievements, as well as letters of recommendation) mentioning the reference of this job announcement (Ref. #09-24003) by 24^th of May 2024 by e-mail (attachment in a single pdf document) to: recruiting(at)senckenberg.de.

Alternatively, you can apply directly through our online application form at our home page www.senckenberg.de/de/karriere/bewerbung/.

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt a.M.

E-Mail: recruiting(at)senckenberg.de

For more information on the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Thomas Schmitt via email Thomas.Schmitt(at)Senckenberg.de or +49 33432 73698-3700

For more information about the Senckenberg Nature Research Society visit www.senckenberg.de.