Postdoctoral fellow in Population Genetics (Macrogenetics) (m/f/d)

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN) is a member of the Leibniz Association and is based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE- TBG), https://tbg.senckenberg.de, is a joint venture of the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen and Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME aiming to intensify biodiversity genomics in basic and applied research. We establish a new and taxonomically broad genome collection to study genomic and functional diversity across the tree of life and make genomic resources accessible for societal demand driven applied research.

For the LOEWE funded Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics Centre (LOEWE-TBG), Project area Genomic Biomonitoring, Senckenberg invites applications for a

Postdoctoral fellow in Population Genetics (Macrogenetics) (m/f/d)

(2 years / 80 – 100% FTE)

This project will focus on large scale synthesis of published genetic and genomic data (Macrogenetics, see Leigh et al., 2021 NRG) to explore patterns and trends within species genetic diversity. Genetic diversity is declining globally. Society’s ability to protect it is hampered by poor understanding of geographical patterns of genetic diversity and its key drivers. This project will focus on improving our understanding of within species genetic diversity of tree and/or island species. The postdoctoral fellow will develop methods and work with open access genetic and genomic datasets from nuclear and genomic markers, searching the literature for new data to add to compiled datasets, enriching datasets with key information, and establishing pipelines to extract key summary statistics for multiple species in a standardized manner. There are many open questions in Macrogenetics, and there is also a degree of flexibility to pursue additional questions of mutual interest alongside those planned. You will work in the new Genomic Biomonitoring lab at Senckenberg (Prof. Deborah Leigh) and have the chance to work within an established network of international collaborators, offering a great opportunity to grow as a scientist. The working language of the lab is English. We encourage healthy working habits, part time employment (80% minimum) and partial remote working/flexible hours can be arranged. The salary will follow the E13 scale.

Your tasks

• Collate published nuclear genetic and genomic datasets to add to growing Macrogenetic databases
• Enrich datasets with key species information (i.e. metadata)
• Conduct population genetic and genomic analysis on multiple species by establishing standardized pipelines
• Publish findings in high quality peer-reviewed scientific journals and present results at international conferences
• Co-supervise MSc thesis students and/or BSc summer interns

Yourprofile

• PhD in Population Genomics / Macrogenetics / Bioinformatics
• Good to strong knowledge of basic population genetic theory
• Familiarity with at least one of the fields of: conservation biology, evolutionary biology, or ecology
• Good knowledge of different molecular genetic and genomic data types and common analysis methods
• Experience working on remote computing clusters and analysing genomic data
• Collaborative working style, with interest in working both in a lab and as part of international working groups.
• Interest in Open Science
• Excellent communication skills and writing skills in English
• Strong personal and research organization skills

What is awaiting you?

• An interesting task in a newly established international research group
• Flexible working hours – leave of absence due to family reasons (certified by “auditberufundfamilie”) – parent-child- office – annual special payment – company pension scheme – Senckenberg badge for free entry in museums in Frankfurt – leave of 30 days/year

Place of employment: Frankfurt am Main, working hours:                  Full time / Part time (80 – 100% position, 32-40 hours/week), type of contract: 2 years, starting September 16^th, 2024 (or soon thereafter), salary: According to the German collective agreement TV-H (pay grade E 13)

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 us your complete application documents (including a 1-2 page cover letter detailing your past research experience and interest in the position, detailed curriculum vitae, PhD certificates or a signed letter from your official super visor stating your defense data, and the contact details of two references,) in electronic form as a single merged PDF file by 03.09.2024 to recruiting(at)senckenberg.de, quoting /reference number #12-24011, or apply directly on our homepage using the online application form.

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt a.M.

E-Mail: recruiting(at)senckenberg.de

If you have any questions regarding the position, please do not hesitate to contact Professor Leigh at deborah.leigh(at)senckenberg.de

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