research assistant (f/m/d) ReOyster
The Institute for Fisheries Ecology of the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, located in Bremerhaven, is seeking to fill the following position starting as soon as possible, limited until to December 31st, 2030: research assistant (f/m/d) Field of Aquaculture, Marine Ecology, Marine Biology, or a related field in part-time with 50% of regular working hours (currently 19,5 hours/week) to work on the third-party funded project "ReOyster".
The ReOyster project (Integrative Measures for the Restoration of Intact Reef Systems of the European Oyster through a Multi-Species Approach) aims at the sustainable restoration of 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 ecosystems in temperate zones. They enhance biodiversity by providing food, shelter, and spawning grounds. Historic population collapse has led to the near-complete disappearance of these structures.
The project is jointly coordinated by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety), the Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, and the Alfred Wegener Institute. The Thünen Institute is responsible for technical implementation, especially hatchery-based breeding of Ostrea edulis, while the Alfred Wegener Institute leads marine-based restoration activities.
Hatchery production includes broodstock conditioning, microalgae cultivation, larval rearing, settlement on natural substrates (e.g. shells, wood, 3D materials), and a micro-nursery phase. These steps require careful planning, technical oversight, staff training, and possibly external expertise.
In parallel, the Thünen Institute conducts applied research to improve production methods with regard to efficiency, sustainability, animal health, and ecological impact. International cooperation and targeted consulting ensure a high-quality, scalable production pipeline for reintroduction efforts.
- Job-ID: J000000091
- Location: Bremerhaven
- Organization: Institut für Fischereiökologie (FI)
- Job Category: Natural sciences
- Working hours: Part time
- Published: 15.07.2025
Your tasks:Your tasks:
- scientific and technical coordination of the project within the Thünen-Institute and with the other project partners
- Preparation of scientific reports, presentations and participation in conferences
- active participation in events and PR activities of the project
Your Profil:Your Profil:
- University degree (Univ. Diploma, M.Sc., Ph.D.) in thefield of aquaculture, marine ecology, marine biology or a related field, but with a clear connection to aquaculture
- very good basic technical understanding of aquaculture
- Experience in handling living aquatic organisms
- strong knowledge of marine hatchery or the cultivation of oysters and microalgae would be an advantage
- Experience in project management on aquaculture-related topics would be an advantage
Personal requirements:
- Organisational and coordination skills
- Team spirit, flexibility, high motivation and ability to work independently
- strong communication and networking skills and a willingness to co-operate in research
- Willingness to travel domestically and abroad
- very good knowledge of English and German or willingness to learn German required
- Experience in supervising students would be an advantage
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
- Security and benefits: collectively agreed, fixed-term employment with attractive social benefits (e.g. company pension scheme, annual one-off payment, capital-forming benefits) upon fulfilment of the collective agreement and personal requirements according to pay group 13 TVöD
- 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.
If you have any requests or need additional information, please contact Dr. Bérenger Colsoul (berenger.colsoul@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://www.kmk.org/zab/zeugnisbewertung.html
Please send your application with a letter of motivation, a tabular CV, description of education and professional career, as well as copies of certificates electronically as a single pdf document under the reference "2025-142-FI" by August 15, 2025 to: fi-bewerbungen@thuenen.de.
We are looking forward to receiving your application!
