Research Associate (PhD Position) – Marine Biodiversity and Taxonomy of German Seas Reef Ecosystems

About us

The Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM) at the University of Oldenburg conducts interdisciplinary research on marine ecosystems, biodiversity and the processes shaping marine environments.

The position is part of the transdisciplinary DBU-funded project “New Monitoring Approaches for the Protection and Management of Reefs in the North Sea and Baltic Sea”. The project aims to improve biodiversity assessment in temperate reef ecosystems by integrating established morphological approaches with innovative molecular techniques, including DNA metabarcoding and environmental DNA (eDNA).

The project combines field-based sampling at selected reef sites in the North and Baltic Seas with laboratory analyses and the development of practical recommendations for future reef monitoring and marine conservation.

Your tasks

• Participation in field campaigns in the Baltic Sea and North Sea (2027 and 2028). 
• Conduct morphological identification and taxonomic assessment of benthic invertebrate communities from reef habitats in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.
• Analyse samples collected from natural reef substrates, settlement plates and Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS).
• Compare biodiversity patterns across sampling methods and habitats.
• Contribute to the development of a quality-controlled reference collection of reef-associated species from the German North and Baltic Seas, including voucher specimens, diagnostic photographs and taxonomic documentation.
• Integrate morphological results with molecular biodiversity data to assess methodological complementarity and identify taxonomic gaps.
• Participate in workshops and communicate project results to stakeholders and partners.
• Publish project results in peer-reviewed journals and prepare project reports.

Your profile

Required qualifications

• A University degree (Master or Diploma, not of a university of Applied Sciences) in Marine Biology, natural sciences or related disciplines.
• Strong background in marine benthic ecology and taxonomy.
• Experience in the morphological identification of marine benthic invertebrates.
• Experience with the taxonomy of hard-substrate and reef-associated communities
• Certified Research Diver / European Scientific Diver, the person should be ‘seaworthy’, i.e. should not easily become seasick.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to work independently as well as in an interdisciplinary team.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Willingness to participate in inter- and transdisciplinary work

Desirable qualifications

• Experience with reference collections, voucher specimens or taxonomic documentation.
• Good/Expert knowledge on North- and Baltic Sea macrobenthic species
• Familiarity with (multivariate) statistical analyses and ecological data processing.
• Experience with molecular biodiversity approaches or interest in integrating morphological and genetic data.

We offer

• An exciting transdisciplinary research project addressing current challenges in marine biodiversity conservation and reef management.
• The opportunity to work with established monitoring programmes and research partners in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.
• Access to modern laboratory facilities and interdisciplinary expertise in marine ecology, taxonomy and molecular biodiversity research.
• Collaboration with leading marine research institutions and environmental authorities, including GEOMAR, AWI/HIFMB, the State Agency for the Environment of Schleswig-Holstein (LfU), and State Agency for Coastal Protection, National Park and Marine Conservation Schleswig-Holstein (LKN.SH).
• Opportunities to publish scientific results and present them at national and international conferences.
• The opportunity to pursue a PhD within an interdisciplinary and application-oriented research environment.

Our standards

The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to § 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact:

Dr. Sven Rohde
Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM)
University of Oldenburg
Email:

Please send your application via e-mail by 30.12.2026 to

Please submit your application, including a cover letter, CV, copies of relevant academic certificates and transcripts, and contact details of two referees, as a single PDF document to Dr. Sven Rohde, using the reference „DBU Reef Monitoring Project – Morphology”.

Unfortunately, travel expenses incurred in connection with interviews cannot be reimbursed.