Scientific Coordinator (m/f/d) - part time

Frankfurt

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

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 of 01 January 2027:

1 Scientific Coordinator (m/f/d)

(part time, 50%)

Location: Frankfurt am Main
Employment scope: 50% 
Type of contract: Limited to 4 years, until 31.12.2030
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.

We are looking for enthusiastic ecologists and a data scientist with an interest in movement ecology, behavioural ecology, biodiversity change, macroecology, and/or trait-based ecology and AI methods applied to movement data or related fields, as well as a scientific coordinator with experience in managing collaborative research projects.

The positions are embedded in the project Behavioural Plasticity in a Changing World: Biologging as a Key to Understanding Animal Adaptability (VEBITA), led jointly by SGN, Marburg University and the Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE) and will start in January 2027 at the earliest. VEBITA is a transdisciplinary project that brings together ecologists, computer scientists, social ecologists and practice partners from conservation, public authorities and business to work towards turning animal movement data into an early-warning system for nature conservation. By analysing GPS and sensor data from animals with statistical and AI-based methods developed jointly with computer scientists, VEBITA aims to detect how behaviour changes in response to climate change, habitat loss, infrastructure development, and other environmental pressures. VEBITA strives to integrate movement data as indicators of adaptation and ecological disruption into science-policy processes. VEBITA researchers will work closely with Movebank, the world’s largest database for animal tracking data, and with global initiatives such as the Animal Movement Biodiversity Observation Network (Move BON) and the Global Initiative on Ungulate Migration (GIUM). The project offers regular exchange and networking opportunities (www.vebita.org).

Within this project we are seeking to fill four positions: two postdoctoral researchers in movement ecology, one data scientist (50%) and one scientific coordinator (50%). The four positions will work closely together as a team. 

Ref. #11-26025:

Scientific Coordinator (50%)

This position will coordinate the VEBITA consortium together with the project lead and ensure effective collaboration between the project’s three research areas (biology, computer science, and social-ecological research), its eight subprojects, and its associated partners from science, conservation, public authorities and business. The scientific coordinator will work closely with the data scientist on the coordination of the VEBITA Knowledge Hub.

Your tasks

• Evaluate approaches for using movement traits as early-warning indicators
• Coordinate and support consortium activities, including internal project communication and organising project meetings, retreats and workshops
• Coordinate reporting to the funding body and monitor project milestones
• Act as contact point for the associated partners and keep them informed about project progress
• Coordinate external communication and knowledge transfer, including maintaining the project website, preparing information material, and liaising with the communication departments of the partner institutions
• Support the coordination of the VEBITA Knowledge Hub together with the data scientist, the Movebank team and all subprojects
• Provide oversight of the Knowledge Hub
• Support the organisation of the two case studies in Hesse and abroad, including stakeholder workshops
• Manage central project funds and support measures for early career researchers, equal opportunities, and work–family balance
• Synthesize the results of the subprojects

Essential qualifications

• Master’s degree in ecology, environmental sciences or a related field
• Experience in coordinating research projects or in science management, ideally in collaborative or interdisciplinary projects
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, and the ability to work with people from different disciplines and sectors
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Advantageous knowledge and skills

• A PhD is welcome but not required
• German language skills
• Experience with reporting for third-party-funded research projects
• Experience in science communication and event organisation
• Experience with building and maintaining websites
• Experience in transdisciplinary work at the interface of science, policy and practice
• Familiarity with movement ecology, biodiversity research or research data management

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 submit your application electronically as a single PDF via the application form on our website by 15 November 2026.

Apply under, mentioning Greenjobs:

APPLY NOW

Please clearly indicate the position(s) for which you are applying and the corresponding reference number(s), as listed below:

Ref. #11-26025: Scientific Coordinator (50%)

You may apply for more than one position. If you do so, please specify all relevant positions and reference numbers in your application.

Your application should include a cover letter outlining your suitability for the position(s), a detailed CV, the contact details of two referees, and, where applicable, a list of publications, writing samples, and details of funding obtained. Please reduce the size of your PDF file where possible without compromising readability.

Please be aware, application documents will also be made available to members of the selection committee from Marburg University and 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

If you have any specific questions about the positions, please contact Prof. Dr. Thomas Mueller at thomas.mueller@senckenberg.de.

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/

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

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