PostDoc (m/f/d) in Data-Driven Social-Ecological Research

Senckenberg Society for Nature 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 soon as possible:

PostDoc (m/f/d) in Data-Driven Social Ecological Research

(Full-Time / Part-Time options available)

 

Location: Frankfurt am Main
Employment scope: Full-Time; Part-Time options are available
Type of contract: Temporary, limited to 3 years
Remuneration: Collective agreement of the state Hesse (TV-H) / E13

The Senckenberg Society for Nature Research is a member of the Leibniz Association and has been investigating the “Earth System” worldwide for more than 200 years, examining the past, analysing the present, and developing projections for the future. We conduct integrative geobiodiversity research with the aim of understanding nature in all its complexity and diversity in order to preserve it as the foundation of life for future generations and to ensure its sustainable use. Across eight institutes and five research stations throughout Germany, scientists from more than 40 countries conduct research at the highest international level.

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

SBiK-F has strong cooperations with the Institute for social-ecological research (ISOE) and the position will work closely with both institutions.

The position develops quantitative approaches to (1) better characterize and measure human–nature interactions, or (2) use these analyses to identify leverage points for more effective stewardship or monitoring of nature under climate change.

Your tasks

• Develop quantitative approaches to measure and analyze human–nature interactions
• Integrate multiple data streams (ecological, social, remote-sensing, citizen-science) into coherent models of social-ecological system dynamics
• Identify leverage points where intervention or monitoring most effectively supports biodiversity
• Advance biodiversity or stewardship monitoring frameworks to better incorporate social dimensions
• Publish in leading international journals
• Contribute to and connect with ongoing research at SBiK-F
• Collaborate across the natural- and social-science groups at Senckenberg, ISOE, and partner institutions

Your profile

• PhD in ecology, environmental science, quantitative social science, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience working with empirical ecological data and preferably also social data
• Strong proficiency in R (and/or comparable statistical/programming environments)
• Excellent quantitative and statistical skills
• Strong publication record in international peer-reviewed journals
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Desirable skills

• Experience with integrating heterogeneous data streams (eg. ecological, social, remote sensing or citizen science data)
• Familiarity with AI/ML methods
• Track record of interdisciplinary collaboration across natural and social sciences
• Experience in quantitative social science methods and working with social or socio-economic data
• Experience in acquiring third-party funding
• Familiarity with trait-based approaches to social-ecological questions
• Familiarity with adaptive capacity and resilience of social-ecological systems
• Familiarity with impacts of climate change on the interactions between biodiversity and society

We offer

• access to an international network of scientists, policymakers and research organizations
• an attractive job within the inspired and dynamic working environment of an internationally recognized research institution
• flexible working hours – mobile working options – employee ID card with free admission to Senckenberg museums – annual special payment – collectively agreed vacation entitlement  – company pension plan

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 ethnic or cultural origin, age, gender, ethnic or cultural origin, religion or belief, age, sexual identity or 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.

How to apply?

Please upload your application (letter of motivation with a short description of your previous and current research foci, a CV with full publication list, copies of certificates and diplomas, along with the names of two referees), electronically (as a single PDF) stating the reference: #11-26026 by 29.11.2026. 

Please submit your application via our online application system. If you are viewing this vacancy on an external job platform, please visit our careers page and apply via the corresponding "Apply" button. Applications submitted by email cannot be considered.

Please be aware, application documents will also be made available to members of the selection committee from the Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE), solely for the purpose of assessing applications and selecting candidates.

Contact

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
Senckenberganlage 25
60325 Frankfurt am Main

For specific questions about this role, please contact Prof. Dr. Thomas Müller at Thomas Müller.

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/

Please visit our website at www.senckenberg.de for further information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung.