Researcher - Enchytraeidae Biodiversity and Functions

Researcher - Enchytraeidae Biodiversity and Functions

SGN - Senckenberg - Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research

Frankfurt am Main, Germany

The project

Land use affects belowground communities with unknown consequences for essential ecosystem processes. In the framework of the Biodiversity Exploratories funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the project “Biodiversity Exploratories – Biodiversity of Enchytraeidae and their Functions (BE-DEF) will investigate temporal and spatial dynamics of grassland communities of Enchytraeidae (Annelida, Oligochaeta) using morphological identification, metabarcoding, and eDNA approaches. Combined with proteomics and compound-specific stable isotopes, we will analyse the impact of land use on functional diversity in Enchytraeidae communities and therefore soil functions. In this project, two researchers will closely work together for sampling campaigns, morphological identification and interpretation of results. One of them (based in Görlitz) will specialize in analysing functional traits using proteomics and compound stable isotope analysis in amino acids. The other researcher (based in Frankfurt) will engage in metabarcoding and DNA-barcoding of bulk samples and eDNA, focussing on alpha-, beta-, and genetic biodiversity, and analysing spatial distributions of species.

Your tasks

• Participate in field work campaigns (each covering one week, three in total) within Germany;
• Short-term lab visits (each covering a maximum of 4 weeks, three in total) to Görlitz, Göttingen, Wilhelmshaven;
• Morphological determination of Enchytraeidae and collection of morphological trait data;
• Molecular lab work for metabarcoding and DNA-barcoding (eDNA and bulk samples);
• Sequence data management;
• Spatial and temporal analysis of sequence data;
• Exchange of data and results within the project team, combined with online meetings for joint interpretation of results;
• Participation at conferences for presenting results of the research project;
• Writing of manuscripts for publication of research results in international journals.

Your profile

• Diploma or MSc degree in biology, ecology, zoology, or a related field;
• Strong interest in soil fauna, soil biodiversity and ecology;
• Willingness to participate in field work campaigns;
• Good communication skills for working in a highly collaborative and international environment;
• Very good spoken and written English language skills;
• Team spirit.

Desirable skills

• Experience in molecular lab work (barcoding, metabarcoding, data analysis, phylogeography);
• Experience in (soil) invertebrate identification using light microscopy;
• Good knowledge in statistical analyses, preferably in R;
• Driving license.