Doctoral or Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) Stable Isotope Geochemistry and Modelling

Frankfurt a. M.

Senckenberg – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System 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. April 2026:

Doctoral or Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) Stable Isotope Geochemistry and Modelling

(Full-Time / Part-Time options are available)

Location: Frankfurt

Employment scope: Doctoral (75%) / Postdoctoral Researcher (100%)

Type of contract: Fixed-term contract until 30 September 2029

Remuneration: Collective agreement of the state Hesse (TV-H) / E13

Senckenberg is one of the world’s leading research institutions in the field of Biodiversity and Earth System Research, with eight research institutes across Germany and scientists from over 40 nations. Our headquarter is located in the thriving commercial metropolis of Frankfurt (Mainhattan) in the heart of Germany, which also hosts one of our most famous facilities, the Senckenberg Natural History Museum. The mission of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre is to study the complex interactions between biodiversity and climate change.

The announced position is embedded in a coordinated Focus Unit Project (FUN) within the TERRA (Terrestrial Geo-Biosphere Interactions in a Changing World) excellence cluster ( ), a collaboration between Senckenberg and the Universities of Tübingen and Hohenheim. It is part of a focus research unit of biologists, geologists and earth system modellers who together aim at fundamentally advancing our understanding of “The past and future of the C 4 grasslands of the world”. We will develop a novel approach for simulating C 4 grasslands in interaction with C 3 grasslands and trees based on Eco-Evolutionary Optimality (EEO) within the framework of the LPJ-GUESS Dynamic Global Vegetation Model. Geologists in the team will advance the state-of-the-art in reconstructing Oligocene to Miocene C 3 /C 4 transitions, which will be used to test the new vegetation model. The new EEO-based vegetation model should then also be used to predict future transitions and biome shifts to ultimately answer the question to what extent C 4 grasslands, savannahs and their unique biodiversity will persist under future climate change.

Your Tasks

• Using state-of-the-art clumped and stable isotope geochemistry or biomarker analytics develop a paleoclimatic framework outlining the Neogene development of C4 ecosystems
• Contribute to community efforts in compiling and evaluating long-term proxy data pertinent to the development of C4 ecosystems
• Contribute to data-model comparisons in close collaboration with climate and vegetation modelers
• Collaborate with geologists and climate modelers in the team to infer the climate conditions and CO 2 concentrations at which C 3 /C 4 transitions occurred in the past
• Publish results in scientific journals with highest scientific standards

Your Profile

• Master or doctoral degree in Earth Sciences or related fields
• A strong interest (for postdoctoral candidates also experience) in stable isotope geochemistry and analysis.
• Expertise in data analyses and willingness to collaborate closely with colleagues in climate and vegetation modeling
• Experience isotope geochemical work is beneficial
• Documented ability to publish scientific papers in international journals (for postdoctoral candidates)
• Research experience in interdisciplinary working environments is beneficial
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work closely with leading experts in Earth System Research as well as paleoenvironmental reconstructions within a Cluster of Excellence.
• You will be part of the new Graduate School of Terrestrial Geo-Biosphere Interactions
• A dynamic work environment in Frankfurt, a diverse and vibrant city offering a high quality of life.
• Flexible working hours – mobile working options – Support with childcare or caring for family members (certified by the “audit berufundfamilie”) – employee ID card with free admission to municipal museums – annual special payment – collectively agreed vacation entitlement – company pension plan (ZVK)

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 age, gender, ethnic or cultural origin, religion and ideology, sexual orientation and identity or disability. Women are particularly encouraged to apply, as they are underrepresented in the field of this position; in the case of equal qualifications and suitability they will be given preference. 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 send your application (letter of motivation, CV, contact details of two references, and certificates) electronically (as a single PDF) to under the heading “Application: Your Name (FUN05_2)” and stating the reference # by 22 February 2026

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

With the application you agree that your personal data will be shared among the participating institutions (University of Tübingen, University of Hohenheim, Senckenberg) for the purpose and over the duration of the recruiting procedure.