The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig seeks to fill the above position at the earliest opportunity.
Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d/x)
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Founded in 1409, Leipzig University is one of Germany’s largest universities and a leader in research and medical training. With around 30,000 students and more than 5000 members of staff across 14 faculties, it is at the heart of the vibrant and outward-looking city of Leipzig. Leipzig University offers an innovative and international working environment as well as an exciting range of career opportunities in research, teaching, knowledge and technology transfer, infrastructure and administration.
The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig is a world-leading centre for biodiversity science and focuses on understanding biodiversity on our planet. Founded in 2012 with funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG), iDiv has since grown to over 300 staff and 170 members. iDiv is largely funded by the three central German states of Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Saxony. Their three universities in Halle, Jena and Leipzig operate the research centre in cooperation with the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH (UFZ). More information about iDiv: www.idiv.de
The sDiv working group sMacroS – towards a synthesis in soil fauna macroecology, led by Professors Anton Potapov and Nico Eisenhauer, aims to investigate the global distribution patterns and drivers of soil biodiversity. The functioning of soils worldwide is regulated by interactions between different groups of soil fauna – ranging from microfauna (protists and nematodes) and mesofauna (springtails and mites) to macrofauna (insects, myriapods, woodlice, spiders and earthworms). Currently, macroecological research focuses on each of these groups independently. sMacroS is a synthesis platform for existing initiatives that aim to describe global patterns of soil fauna diversity across taxa and to advance data standards, platforms and synthesis in the field of soil macroecology.
WHAT WE OFFER
- A highly dynamic, collaborative and interdisciplinary working environment
- Attractive fringe benefits such as health insurance, pension plans, job ticket (public transport discount)
- Flexible working hours and work-life balance
- Voluntary participation in our iDiv career development programme (courses, coaching, networking, etc.)
- The working language at iDiv is English
- iDiv is a highly international centre with staff from over 30 countries and various forms of support for staff from outside Germany (Welcome Centre, German courses, etc.)
- Leipzig is an attractive city with a rich culture and beautiful surroundings where international visitors usually find it easy to settle in
DUTIES
- Integration of different global soil biodiversity datasets
- Spatial modelling and macroecological analyses of soil biodiversity data
- Use of data for climate and land use models to predict future soil biodiversity trends
- Consolidation and joint analysis of different soil biodiversity datasets and identification of drivers
- Workshop organisation
- Lead and co-author scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals
- Presentation of results at national and international conferences
REQUIREMENTS
- Scientific university degree (Diploma/MSc) in (macro)ecology
- PhD in (macro)ecology or at least three years of experience in research and publication of scientific results, e.g. during the PhD phase
- Extensive expertise in soil ecology or macroecology
- Very good statistical or modelling skills with ecological data
- Very good English (spoken and written)
- Very good communication skills (especially in presenting and writing up research results)
- Team player with interest and ability in interdisciplinary research
- Organisational skills related to scientific meetings and workshops
Please send your application with the usual documents, quoting reference number 52/2025, via our application portal at https://apply.idiv.de or by post to Deutsches Zentrum für integrative Biodiversitätsforschung (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, z. H. Svenja Haenzel, Puschstraße 4, 04103 Leipzig by 17 April 2025. Please note that it is not possible to guarantee confidentiality and rule out unauthorised access by third parties when communicating by unencrypted email. We kindly request that you submit copies only, as we are unable to return application documents. Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.
For questions about the application process, please contact the iDiv HR Department (hr@idiv.de). For project-related questions, please contact Professor Nico Eisenhauer (nico.eisenhauer@idiv.de).Leipzig University aims to increase the proportion of women in positions of responsibility and therefore expressly invites qualified women to apply. Severely disabled persons – or persons deemed legally equal to them under Book IX of the German Social Code – are encouraged to apply and will be given preference in the case of equal suitability. If you have any questions about accessibility or need assistance with this application process, please contact Leipzig University’s disability officers at: schwerbehindertenvertretung@uni-leipzig.de
Privacy information
If you choose to apply and send us your documents, you do so voluntarily. Any personal data contained within your application documents, or obtained during an interview, will be processed by Leipzig University – as the advertiser of the position – exclusively for the purposes of the selection process for the position advertised. It will not be passed on to third parties without your consent in the individual case. The legal basis for such data processing is Sect. 11(1) of the Saxon Data Protection Implementation Act (SächsDSDG) in conjunction with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The controller for the application process within the meaning of the GDPR is the addressee of the application, specified in the advertisement.
Your personal data will be stored for six months after the end of the recruitment process and then erased or destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations. You may refuse or withdraw your consent with effect for the future without giving reasons. In these cases, Leipzig University will not or no longer be able to process and consider your application. Under the GDPR, subject to the relevant statutory requirements you have the following rights vis-à-vis the addressee of the application with regard to your personal data: right of access (Art. 15 GDPR); right to rectification of inaccurate personal data (Art. 16 GDPR); right to erasure (Art. 17 GDPR); right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR); and right to object to processing (Art. 21 GDPR). If you have any questions, please contact the Data Protection Officer at Leipzig University (office: Augustusplatz 10, 04109 Leipzig). You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Saxon Commissioner for Data Protection.