Research Associate (Postdoc) Impacts of global change on marine zooplankton § 28 Subsection 2 HmbHG

Institution: Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Institute of Marine Ecosystem and Fishery Science (IMF)

Salary level: EGR. 13 TV-L

Start date: 01.04.2026, fixed for a period of three years (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).The contract provides for a maximum extension of up to three years depending on the associate’s achievements during the first stage. Providing that a position is available and that requirements have been fulfilled, the associate may apply for temporary civil servant status in accordance with Section 28 subsection 2 HmbHG.

Application deadline: 2026-02-06

Scope of work: full-time position suitable for part-time

Your responsibilities

Duties include teaching and research in the respective department or institute. Research associates may also pursue independent research and further academic qualifications as well as acquire teaching experience. These duties are intended to promote academic achievement. Therefore, at least one-third of set working hours will be made available for the associate’s own academic work.

The Postdoc should complement research activities of the Experimental Marine Zooplankton Ecology group at IMF and is expected to develop a research concept tailored for activities with a short-term (up to three years) and a long-term (up to six years) perspective. The concept should address current and future impacts of global change on marine zooplankton communities (i.e. zooplankton responses to multiple-stressors using experimental approaches, ranging from small-scale laboratory to larger-scale mesocosm approaches). Grant applications for third-party funding from national and / or international funding agencies are a necessity. The Postdoctoral Fellow should be active, open-minded and contribute to the groups’ activities.

Involvement in teaching and supervision activities within the BSc program (B-MARSYS) and the MSc program (i-MARSYS) at IMF with 4 LVS (teaching hours per week during the lecture period of a semester) as well as the willingness to supervise BSc, MSc and PhD students at IMF/University of Hamburg are a prerequisite.

Your profile

A university degree in a relevant field, plus doctorate.

A ccompleted doctoral degree in Marine Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Biological Oceanography, Limnology, Environmental Science or related fields is required. This position will attract young, promising scientists with a PhD completion not earlier than 2021 working on a broad range of fields with a focus on experimental marine ecology. The successful candidate should have an excellent track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals, experience in grant applications & project contributions, very good written and oral English language skills, expertise in zooplankton ecology and/or taxonomy, experience using experimental approaches to study zooplankton in the lab and in-situ, demonstrated skills in experimental design and analyses in aquatic ecology and proven computational capabilities (e.g. R, Python).

Experience in planning and conducting large-scale experiments (i.e. indoor/outdoor mesocosm experiments), cultivation of plankton organisms, outreach activities and experience in academic teaching and supervisions of BSc, MSc and/or PhD students will be considered as beneficial.

The candidate should be self-motivated, reliable, organized / structured, proactive, constructive, engaged in teaching and supervision and with a positive, team-player attitude.

We offer

Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements

Continuing education opportunities

University pensions

Attractive location

Flexible working hours

Work-life balance opportunities

Health management, EGYM Wellpass

Educational leave

30 days of vacation per annum

An open, multicultural and integrating working environment.

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.

Instructions for applying

Contact

Prof. Dr. Nicole Aberle-Malzahn

Dr. Henriette Horn

Location

Olbersweg 24
22767 Hamburg

Reference number

5

Application deadline

2026-02-06

Use only the online application form to submit your application with the following documents:

• cover letter
• CV
• copies of degree certificate(s)

If you experience technical problems, send an email to .

More information on in selection procedures.