Post-Doctoral Researcher (M/F/D) - Data Specialist & Project Lead - C1

External Job Announcement

Reg.-Nr. 4-11950/24-H

Modern, interconnected, conscious of tradition: Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) is the old-

est and largest university in the State of Saxony-Anhalt with a history dating back more than 500 years. Today

more than 20,000 students are enrolled at the university. MLU’s core research areas are in the nanosciences

and biosciences, the Enlightenment, as well as in social and cultural research. The university is also home to

a range of small disciplines, some of which can be found nowhere else in Germany. The university has excel-

lent national and international ties, and works closely together with leading research institutes, industry, and

more than 250 universities around the world.

The Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, in cooperation with the German Centre for Integrative Bio-

diversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, offers the following position in Leipzig, starting 1 March 2025

or shortly thereafter and limited for 2 years:

Post-doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) – Data Specialist & Project Lead – C1

as full-time employment (100%).

The salary will be up to Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L, if the personal requirements and tasks are fulfilled. The work-

place will be in Leipzig in the Biodiversity Synthesis research group.

The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig is a National Research

Centre funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Its central mission is to promote theory-driven syn-

thesis and data-driven theory in integrative biodiversity research. It is located in the city of Leipzig and it is a

central institution of the Leipzig University, jointly hosted by the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

(MLU), the Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ). More

information about iDiv: www.idiv.de.

This position is affiliated with the Biodiversity Synthesis Professorship of Prof. Jonathan Chase. The overarching

research mission of the Biodiversity Synthesis group is aimed towards developing a cohesive framework for

understanding the patterns of biodiversity and its heterogeneous distribution across multiple scales, as well as

the underlying ecological drivers that influence those patterns. For more information, please visit our lab website:

https://www.idiv.de/en/groups-and-people/core-groups/synthesis.html. This position will be responsible for

contributing to the ERC-funded MetaChange project to analyze scale-explicit projections of past and future

biodiversity change.

Tasks:

• Continuously aggregate and consolidate data for metacommunity datasets within an ERC project

• Master the entire data process treatment, including wrangling, standardization, and quality control, ensur-

ing adherence to FAIR principles and maintain data integrity

• Utilize expertise in various sampling methodologies and strategies in ecology in terrestrial, freshwater and

marine ecosystems

• Teach courses relevant to the skills used in this research, which can include macroecology, network anal-

• Mentor MSc and BSc students at MLU on research and provide essential support to researchers and stu-

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ble and identifying common needs

• Offer necessary and advanced training on data management, covering both fundamental principles and

advanced topics such as version control with git and cluster computing

• Stay updated on new technologies and share knowledge with the team and students, promoting continu-

ous learning and growth

Requirements:

• A scientific University degree (Diploma/ M.Sc.) in Ecology

• A completed PhD degree in Ecology or Biostatistics with biodiversity and heavy data aspects
• At least five years’ experience in programming applied to biodiversity research tools and data
• Experience in biodiversity-related projects is necessary

• Experience using a High-Performance Computing Cluster (HPC)

• Proficiency in data aggregation, consolidation, and management techniques

• Strong programming skills in R, data.table and tidyverse fluency

• Certified experience with data manipulation in Python

• Experience in translating data treatment needs into code

• Experience with website building and maintenance

• Knowledge of other languages such as C++, Python and Julia

• Experience in scientific software engineering is a plus

• Experience in package building and maintenance in R

• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail

• Knowledge of FAIR principles and commitment to data integrity

• Experience in teaching data management; ability to conduct training sessions and workshops effectively

• Fluency in English in speaking and writing; at least good command of two other European languages

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team, ideally with experience in project manage-

ment and leadership

The Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg gives priority to applications from severely disabled candidates

with equivalent qualifications. Women are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants with a degree that was
not obtained at a German higher education institution must submit a Statement of Comparability for Foreign
Higher Education Qualifications from the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches
Bildungswesen) to prove equivalence. This Statement can also be submitted after successful completion of
the hiring process.

Queries concerning the application process should be directed to hr@idiv.de. For queries about the research

project please contact jonathan.chase@idiv.de.

Please submit your full application dossier in English with registration number 4-11950/24-H by 10.12.2024.

Applications should be submitted via our iDiv application portal at https://apply.idiv.de. Applications should

include a motivation letter tailored to the research project, a curriculum vitae, the digital copy of the Master`s

degree/ Diploma as well as the PhD certificate and a publication record. Application portfolios submitted by

post will not be returned, application costs will not be reimbursed.

This announcement is subject to possible budgetary restrictions.

iDiv is committed to establishing and maintaining a diverse and inclusive community that collectively supports

and implements our mission to do great science. We will welcome, recruit, develop, and advance talented staff

from diverse genders and backgrounds.

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