Research Assistant in the Field of Biology (m/f/d)
The Institute for Fisheries Ecology at the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, the Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry, and Fisheries, located in Bremerhaven, is seeking - subject to approval from the funding agency, is seeking, to start as soon as possible and for a fixed term ending December 31, 2029, a full-time research associate in the field of biology (f/m/d) (currently 39 hours/week) to work on the “ElbeXtreme-Fish2” project.
Extreme weather events, such as droughts, heavy rainfall, and storm surges, are increasing in frequency and intensity due to the climate crisis, often having severe impacts on sensitive ecosystems like rivers and estuaries. ElbeXtreme is an interdisciplinary consortium conducting research on the impacts of extreme weather events in the Elbe estuary as part of the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM) mission "mareXtreme." In the project's second funding phase, the Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology will continue to investigate the effects of extreme weather events on fish (ElbeXtreme-Fish2). This work involves planned laboratory studies using three-spined sticklebacks as model organisms, which may be complemented by field studies.
Laboratory experiments will examine how factors relevant to extreme weather events, such as sudden temperature changes, the release of pollutants, and fluctuations in oxygen levels, affect fish health. Insights gained from studies on cell cultures and fish eggs will be further explored through experiments involving sticklebacks. The aim of this research is to better understand the impacts of extreme weather events on fish and to develop environmental and fisheries management strategies that help make fish populations more resilient to extreme weather events.
The research on fish will be closely integrated with studies on blue mussels (University of Rostock) and microorganisms (GEOMAR Kiel). Furthermore, interactions regarding environmental analysis (AWI, BSH) and environmental modeling (Hereon) within the ElbeXtreme consortium play a key role.
The employment relationship is governed by the TVöD Bund collective agreement and, provided the collective agreement and personal requirements are met, is remunerated according to pay grade 13 of the TVöD Bund - which corresponds to an annual salary of 62.489,15 € bis 89.579,84 € for full-time employment.
Your tasksYour tasks
- Planning and conducting laboratory experiments using isolated fish cells, fish eggs, and live fish
- Dissecting fish to extract tissues and cells
- Establishing primary cell cultures and measuring vital cell parameters
- Conducting field studies (where applicable)
- Interacting with consortium partners
- Participating in project meetings and presenting results
- Analyzing results and publishing them in scientific journals
Your profilYour profil
- University degree (M.Sc., Univ.-Dipl.) and doctorate in Biology, Marine Biology, Fisheries Biology, Biochemistry, Veterinary Medicine, Environmental Sciences, or a related field
- Willingness to conduct experiments involving fish
- Interest in aquatic ecology
- Proficiency in statistical, spreadsheet, presentation, and word processing software
- Good written and spoken German (at least level B1) and English skills
- Strong collaboration and communication skills, motivation, and the ability to work independently
- Ability to work well in a team
- Willingness and motivation to engage in exchange and cooperation with consortium partners from various disciplines
- Interest in interdisciplinary scientific work
Our offerOur 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.
We live a diverse and cosmopolitan coexistence. The Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute is committed to inclusion. Applications from people with severe disabilities are therefore expressly encouraged. They will be given preferential consideration in the selection process. Please enclose proof of severe disability or equal status with your application.
For further information, please contact Dr. Jörn Scharsack (Email: joern.scharsack@thuenen.de).
If you have an international degree, please also enclose a certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) with your application. If you do not yet have a certificate evaluation, you must apply for one if your application is successful. You can find further information at https://zab.kmk.org/de/zeugnisbewertung
We are looking forward to receiving your application by September 01, 2026.
