PhD Position (m/f/d) in palaeobiology

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN) was founded in 1817 and is one of the most important research institutions in the field of biodiversity. At its twelve locations throughout Germany, scientists from almost 40 nations conduct cutting-edge research on an international scale. The Society’s headquarter is in the Main metropolis of Frankfurt in the heart of Germany. This is also where one of the best-known Senckenberg facilities, the Senckenberg Natural History Museum, is located.

The Senckenberg Society for Nature Research (SGN) at the location in Frankfurt am Main is seeking to fill the following position starting ideally 01.09.2025

PhD Position (m/f/d) in palaeobiology

(Part time, 75%)

The Department of Palaeontology and Historical Geology is seeking a highly motivated PhD student (m/f/d) to conduct research on a DFG-funded project focused on trace fossils, and the evolution of behavioral complexity over the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary.  This project will combine detailed specimen-based analysis of trace fossils with exploratory fieldwork in southern Namibia, and neoichnological experiments in collaboration with scientists at Senckenberg am Meer in Wilhelmshaven. With this combination of approaches we aim to answer three principal questions:

1) How does the complexity of treptichnid trace fossils change through the late Ediacaran and Cambrian?

2) What specific behaviors do these burrows represent?

And finally:

3) What were the geobiological impacts of these behaviors?

At the culmination of this work, we aim to produce a comprehensive understanding of treptichnid- style burrows, the implications of these behaviors for the character of animal evolution over the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary, and the utility of Treptichnus pedum as a biostratigraphic marker for the base of the Phanerozoic.

Your tasks

• Work to describe and quantify the behavioral evolution of Ediacaran and Cambrian-aged trace fossils, making use of the exceptional collections housed at the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt and Tübingen University
• Perform exploratory fieldwork in remote parts of southern Namibia and South Africa. Spend periods of time (potentially 5-6 weeks at a stretch) with our collaborators at Senckenberg am Meer, in order to:

• • Use our research vessel – the FK Senckenberg – to collect a variety of benthic
    Organisms
  • Maintain organisms in tanks for observation/recording of behaviors
  • Monitor tanks using temperature, oxygen, and pH probes
• Present results at conferences
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals
• Collaborate with other working groups and other researchers involved in the project

Your Qualfications

• Master’s degree in paleontology, geology or a related field
• Background in trace fossil research is desirable but not mandatory
• Good communication skills in English, both written and verbal
• Knowledge of German and/or a willingness to learn
• Computer/programming literacy, for example in R, and/or software used in image processing (Adobe Photoshop, ImageJ etc.)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

We offer

• A challenging interdisciplinary research project at the interface of evolutionary biology, ichnology, and Precambrian geology
• The opportunity to travel as part of fieldwork in southern Africa
• Opportunities to present research findings at conferences (funds are budgeted for 2 conferences per year, attend focused workshops to learn new skills, and publish in peer- reviewed journals
• An attractive and challenging position in a motivated team
• Independent work in an international and professional environment
• The possibility to conduct a PhD thesis
• Flexible working hours – mobile working – Support with childcare or caring for family members (certified by the “audit berufundfamilie” (work and family audit) – Employee ID card with free admission to municipal museums – Annual bonus – Company pension plan

Location: Frankfurt

Employment scope: Part Time (75%)

Contract type: Limited for three years, starting ideally 1st of September 2025

Compensation: E 13 TV-H / Collective agreement of the state Hesse

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.

Would you like to apply?

Please send us your complete and comprehensive application documents (cover letter, detailed CV, training and employment references) electronically (as a single PDF file) quoting reference #01-25032 by 15^th of June 2025 to recruiting@senckenberg.de.

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
Senckenberganlage 25
60325 Frankfurt a.M.

E-Mail: recruiting@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/.

For any job-related inquiries, Dr. Simon Darroch will be happy to assist you at simon.darroch@senckenberg.de.