Doctoral or Postdoctoral Researcher; f​/m​/d Stable Isotope Geochemistry and Modelling

Frankfurt a. M.

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 Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), starting as of 01. April 2026:

Doctoral or Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) Stable Isotope Geochemistry and Modelling

(Full-Time / Part-Time options are available)

Location:

Frankfurt

Employment scope:
Doctoral (75%) / Postdoctoral Researcher (100%)

Type of contract:
Fixed-term contract until 30 September 2029

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 across Germany and scientists from over 40 nations. Our headquarter is located in the thriving commercial metropolis of Frankfurt (Mainhattan) in the heart of Germany, which also hosts one of our most famous facilities, the Senckenberg Natural History Museum.

The mission of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre is to study the complex interactions between biodiversity and climate change.

The announced position is embedded in a coordinated Focus Unit Project (FUN) within the TERRA (Terrestrial Geo-Biosphere Interactions in a Changing World) excellence cluster ((Sie können sich bewerben oder uns per E-Mail kontaktieren in dem Sie die untenstehende Online-Bewerbungsbox verwenden) ), a collaboration between Senckenberg and the Universities of Tübingen and Hohenheim. It is part of a focus research unit of biologists, geologists and earth system modellers who together aim at fundamentally advancing our understanding of “The past and future of the C 4 grasslands of the world”.

We will develop a novel approach for simulating C 4 grasslands in interaction with C 3 grasslands and trees based on Eco-Evolutionary Optimality (EEO) within the framework of the LPJ-GUESS Dynamic Global Vegetation Model. Geologists in the team will advance the state-of-the-art in reconstructing Oligocene to Miocene C 3 /C 4 transitions, which will be used to test the new vegetation model.

The new EEO-based vegetation model should then also be used to predict future transitions and biome shifts to ultimately answer the question to what extent C 4 grasslands, savannahs and their unique biodiversity will persist under future climate change.

• Using state-of-the-art clumped and stable isotope geochemistry or biomarker analytics develop a paleo climatic framework outlining the Neogene development of C4 ecosystems
• Contribute to community efforts in compiling and evaluating long-term proxy data pertinent to the development of C4 ecosystems
• Contribute to data-model comparisons in close collaboration with climate and vegetation modelers
• Collaborate with geologists and climate modelers in the team to infer the climate conditions and CO 2 concentrations at which C 3 /C 4 transitions occurred in the past
• Publish results in scientific journals with highest scientific standards

• Master or doctoral degree in Earth Sciences or related fields
• A strong interest (for postdoctoral candidates also experience) in stable isotope geochemistry and analysis.
• Expertise in data analyses and willingness to collaborate closely with colleagues in climate and vegetation modeling
• Experience isotope geochemical work is beneficial
• Documented ability to publish scientific papers in international journals (for postdoctoral candidates)
• Research experience in interdisciplinary working environments is beneficial
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

• Opportunity to work closely with leading experts in Earth System Research as well as paleo environmental reconstructions within a Cluster of Excellence.
• You will be part of the new Graduate School of Terrestrial Geo-Biosphere Interactions
• A dynamic work environment in Frankfurt, a diverse and vibrant city offering a high quality of life.
• Flexible working hours – mobile working options – Support with childcare or caring for family members (certified by the “audit berufundfamilie”) – employee  with free admission to municipal museums – annual special payment – collectively agreed vacation entitlement –…