Job for Researchers: Research Scientist (Small Standing Waters) — Julius Kühn-Institut, Berlin

Original title: Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin / wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter (w/m/d)

About the role

The Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) – Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants – is a federal research institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMLEH). It is seeking a Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin / wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter (research scientist, m/f/d) for the Institute for Ecological Chemistry, Plant Analysis and Stored Product Protection at its Berlin site. The position is part of the third-party funded project “SWIM – Monitoring and Management of Small Standing Waters” and is available from 1 October 2026. A start date of 1 October 2026 is planned.

In Europe, small standing waters below 50 ha are subject to the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive as transposed into German law. Because they are not covered by the directive’s reporting obligation, they are rarely investigated due to capacity limitations. The SWIM project analyses existing data from the German federal states to evaluate methods for the survey and assessment of standing water bodies between 5 and 50 ha.

Responsibilities

• Contribute scientifically to the project “SWIM – Monitoring and Management of Small Standing Waters”.
• Review existing monitoring and assessment approaches for small standing waters.
• Develop recommendations for an optimised monitoring strategy adapted to the specific characteristics of small water bodies.
• Conduct comprehensive national and international literature research on water management, measures and monitoring concepts for small standing waters.
• Plan and carry out data and information queries in the German federal states.
• Participate in LAWA committee meetings and coordination appointments.
• Cooperate closely with project partners from public authorities.
• Prepare interim and final reports.

Requirements

Applicants must hold a completed scientific university degree (Master’s degree, university diploma or equivalent) in limnology, aquatic ecology, biology, hydrobiology, environmental science, landscape ecology, water management or a comparable field.

Knowledge and experience

• Sound knowledge of the ecology of standing waters and of European and national water legislation, in particular the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
• Experience with biological and physico-chemical assessment methods under the WFD (e.g. PhytoSee, Phylib, Molanna or AESHNA) and with chemical-biological monitoring of small standing waters.
• Experience in systematic literature research and in the scientific evaluation and synthesis of national and international specialist literature.
• Ability to analyse complex scientific questions in a structured way and to derive practice-oriented recommendations.
• A high degree of goal orientation, responsibility, conflict management competence and resilience.
• Very good oral and written German language skills, as well as good English skills for evaluating international literature.
• Confident handling of MS Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.

What we offer

• A varied, demanding and interesting role in an international working environment.
• A fixed-term part-time position (19.5 hours per week) for 12 months, subject to the availability of third-party funding.
• Remuneration according to TVöD pay group E 13, depending on qualification and personal requirements.
• Flexible working-time arrangements and support for work-family balance; the JKI has held the “audit berufundfamilie” certificate since 2021.
• The Deutschlandticket may be made available as a job ticket with an employer subsidy of €23.28.
• Equal opportunity, diversity and an inclusive working culture. Applications from severely disabled people are expressly welcome and will be given preferential consideration.

How to apply

Please submit your application by 11 September 2026 via the Interamt online application system, quoting the reference number B-ÖPV-WA-01-26. If you hold an international degree, please include a statement of comparability from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB); if you do not yet have one, you must apply for it if you are successful. For further information, please contact Dr. Marlen Heinz, phone +49 (0) 30 8304-2385, email [email protected].

Original vacancy