Scientific Employee (m/f/d/x)

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 employees 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

EcoGlassBird: Collisions with glass structures are estimated to kill between 18 and 115 million birds each year in Germany. Despite its estimated much higher impact on bird populations than, for example, wind turbines, this threat is unfortunately neglected by law enforcement agencies and at larger policy and regulatory scales. The main knowledge gap is the lack of an assessment of the cost-effective implementation of collision avoidance measures to reduce bird collisions on a large scale, or even a cost-benefit analysis that includes the willingness to pay for avoiding bird mortality. Large-scale implementation of collision avoidance structures would require mass production, which would in turn reduce production costs. In this project we plan to evaluate the economic consequences of bird collisions with glass structures in Germany, as well as a more detailed case study in Leipzig. The project consists of four work packages (WP): WP1, Quantifying the risk of fatal bird collisions as a function of built structures; WP2, Quantifying the “bird collision abatement cost function” (i.e. estimating the upscaled production costs of different bird collision avoidance structures); WP3, Cost-benefit analysis: Which buildings to treat first?; and WP4, Stakeholder consultation and exploration of implementation strategies.

The project is led and supervised by the main PIs Dr Marten Winter (Ecology) and Professor Martin Quaas (Biodiversity Economics) with strong co-leadership and co-supervision by highly dedicated ecologists (Professor Susanne Fritz and Dr Jeremy Dertien, iDiv; Professor Hjalmar Kuehl, Senckenberg/TU Dresden).

The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig seeks to fill the above position at the earliest opportunity. The position is subject to possible budgetary restrictions and depends on the final approval of funding.

Please send your application with the usual documents, quoting reference number 3/2025, via our application portal at https://apply.idiv.de by 26.02.2025. Please note that it is not possible to guarantee confidentiality and rule out unauthorised access by third parties when communicating by unencrypted email. While we prefer applications via this portal, hard-copy applications may also be sent to: German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Scientific Networks, Puschstraße 4, 04103 Leipzig. We kindly request that you submit copies only, as we are unable to return application documents. Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.

For queries on the application process, please contact our Scientific Networks team (flexpool@idiv.de); for project-related questions, please contact the main project PIs marten.winter@idiv.de or martin.quaas@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.

iDiv is committed to establishing and maintaining a diverse and inclusive community that collectively supports and implements our mission to do great science. We welcome, recruit, develop and advance talented staff from diverse genders and backgrounds.

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.