Biological-Technical Assistants (m/f/d)
The Institute of Fisheries Ecology at the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry, and Fisheries, located in Bremerhaven, is seeking two full-time (currently 39 hours/week) biological-technical assistants (f/m/d) for a fixed term from February 1, 2026, until December 31, 2030 to join the Aquaculture department in the Oyster-Hatchery project.
The ReOyster project (integrative measures for restoring intact reef systems of the European oyster through a cross-species approach) aims to sustainably restore biogenic reefs in the German North Sea — with a particular focus on the European oyster (Ostrea edulis) and the reef habitats it forms. These habitats are among the most threatened marine environments in temperate regions. They enhance biodiversity and provide food, shelter, and spawning grounds. Historic stock collapse led to the near-complete disappearance of these structures. The project is supported by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection), the Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, and the Alfred Wegener Institute. The Thünen Institute is responsible for technical implementation, particularly the hatchery production of Ostrea edulis. The Alfred Wegener Institute oversees the at-sea measures.
Hatchery work includes broodstock conditioning, microalgae cultivation, larval rearing, settlement on natural substrates (e.g., shells, wood, 3D materials), and a micro-nursery phase. These processes require careful planning, technical support, staff training, and external expertise when needed.
Accompanying research at the Thünen Institute focuses on practical optimization of production methods regarding efficiency, sustainability, animal health, and ecological impact. International cooperation and targeted advisory work ensure a high-quality, scalable production for restoration efforts.
The employment relationship is governed by the TVöD Bund (collective agreement for civil servants) and, if the collective agreement and personal requirements are met, remuneration is based on pay grade 9a TVöD Bund.
- Job-ID: J000000224
- Location: Bremerhaven
- Start date: 01.02.2026
- Organization: Institut für Fischereiökologie (FI)
- Job Category: Technical assistance
- Working hours: Full-time / part-time possible
- Published: 05.12.2025
Your tasks:Your tasks:
- Independent planning, preparation, and execution of the production season (e.g., import and quarantine of broodstock, holding systems, import and preparation of settlement substrates, facility setup, and material provision)
- Autonomous execution and supervision of production processes (e.g., microalgae cultures for feeding, broodstock conditioning, larval production and rearing, larval settlement on substrates, and micro-nursery care)
- Post-season tasks: independent maintenance and husbandry of broodstock
Your Profile:Your Profile:
- State certification as a biological-technical assistant or a comparable qualification
- Good technical understanding of aquaculture; experience with live aquatic organisms and knowledge of seawater hatchery work or oyster/microalgae culture are advantageous
- Willingness for multi-day business trips to support fieldwork and sampling
- Willingness to take on on-call duties and weekend shifts (the workplace must be reachable within a reasonable time during on-call periods)
- Sufficient German and English skills for communication with project partners, plus basic IT skills (MS Office)
- High flexibility and ability to respond spontaneously, especially during production phases
- Strong sense of responsibility, autonomy, and teamwork skills
- Interest in methodological and technical development in aquaculture and research
- Reliable, well-structured working style with good communication and organizational skills
Our offer:Our offer:
- Responsibility and a sense of purpose: responsible work in a dedicated team, involvement in a dynamic, interdisciplinary research institute and proximity to current policy and practice-relevant topics
- Flexibility and work-life balance: flexible working time models, fundamental possibility of part-time employment as well as mobile working and teleworking, certified employer berufundfamilie audit with a wide range of offers for reconciling work and life phases
- Prospects: further training opportunities for the area of responsibility and individual development
- Benefits: employment based on collective agreements with attractive social benefits (e.g. company pension scheme, one-off annual payment, capital-forming benefits)
- Health: company health management and preventative healthcare programmes
- Mobility: JobTicket, public transport connections, free parking spaces and the option of using e-charging stations
The Thünen Institute promotes professional equality between women and men and therefore expressly welcomes applications from women.
The Thünen Institute is committed to inclusion. Applications from people with severe disabilities are therefore expressly welcome. These will be given special consideration in the selection process.
If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Dr. Bérenger Colsoul (email: berenger.colsoul@thuenen.de).
If you are interested, please send us your application documents with a cover letter, tabular CV (outlining your education and professional career), copies of certificates (master's degree certificate, school leaving certificate, etc.), list of publications and references by 09. January 2026, quoting reference number 2025-267-FI, preferably electronically (as a single PDF document) to the following email address: fi-bewerbungen@thuenen.de
We look forward to receiving your application!
