Fully-funded 6-year Postdoc position in Hildesheim, Germany

 Universität Hildesheim
Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts
The Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology at the Department for Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Economy and Computer Science offers a full-time
Scientific Assistant position (m/f/d)
(TV-L E 13, 100%)
initially until 30 September 2026 (higher academic qualification position, 4 LVS). The employment contract will include a target agreement on a qualification goal, upon achievement, there is the option of a subsequent employment contract as a research assistant - (m/f/d), TV-L E13, 100%, 10 LVS, limited until 30 April 2031. The position is comparable to a Lecturer position in the UK or an Assistant Professor position in the US.
The Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology was founded in January 2025 and its re-
search will be situated at the interface between behavior, ecology, and evolutionary biology.
We will investigate how animals, in particular small mammals, adapt to their environment and
how they cope with environmental change from the individual to population-level. We plan to
establish research roads investigating wildlife responses to changing environments as well
as studying the proximate mechanisms underlying particularly fast adjustment processes.
Further information can be found under: https://www.uni-hildesheim.de/fb4/institute/biolo-
gie/abteilung-biologie/arbeitsgruppen-research-groups/zoologie-tieroekologie-zoology-ani-
mal-ecology/
We seek a bright and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher who ideally already has post-
doc experience in a relevant topic (e.g. animal behaviour, behavioural ecology, population
ecology, evolutionary ecology) with vertebrates, ideally with small mammals. The successful
candidate will be responsible for developing an own research agenda. It is expected that
he/she will be able to obtain significant third-party research funding. The ideal candidate will
be able to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Tasks:
The position generally serves the purpose of higher scientific qualification and the acquisition
of further academic achievements and thus the promotion of young scientists (FwN). Specific
associated tasks are:
• The development of an independent research project in one of the core areas of the
department (urban ecology, individual differences, phenotypic plasticity) and the as-
sociated application for funding for a third-party funded project, e.g. with the DFG (as
a possible qualification goal by 09/26)
• Presentations of scientific results at (inter-)national conferences
• preparation of scientific publications
• teaching (4 hours per week) inclduing supervision of Bacherlor- and Mastertheses
• Willingness to undergo further training in higher education didactics is expected
• academic self-administration and organisational tasks within the research group
• responsibilities within animal experiments (stellvertretender Tierversuchsleiter)
Required:
• relevant university degree in biology or a relevant discipline
• completed doctorate in biology or a relevant discipline
• fluent English language skills (written and oral)
• fluent German language skills (level C1), please note that interviews will be held in Ger-
man
• at least three years experience in animal experiments within the European Union or a
FELASA C certificate
• relevant research experience
Additional desired skills:
• demonstrated publication record
• ability to conduct research autonomously
• strong communication skills and enthusiasm for working as part of an interdisciplinary
and international team
• independent, self-reliant and dedicated style of work
• strong organizational and coordination skills
• ability to cooperate and to work in a team
Remuneration:
Salary will be paid according to Remuneration level 13 of the Wage Agreement for Public
Service in the Federal States (TV-L). As stipulated in § 2 (1) sentence 2 of the WissZeitVG
(fixed-term employment), the initial contract will be limited to 30.09.2026 with the option of
extension until 30.04.2031 upon fulfilment of the target agreement. In accordance with the
provisions of the WissZeitVG and the Agreement on Satisfactory Conditions of Employment,
the length of contract may differ in individual cases.
As a family-friendly university, we offer a varied, interdisciplinary range of tasks, flexible work-
ing hours, regular further education and training and an annual special payment in line with
the TV-L. You can expect a dynamic, committed and open-minded team. The position is gen-
erally suitable for part-time work, but must be filled in full.
The University of Hildesheim emphasises gender and diversity competence and is particularly
keen to promote professional equality between women and men. It therefore thrives to increase
the number of women and men who are underrepresented in their respective fields.
Applications from applicants with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if
they are equally suitable.
For questions please contact Prof. Dr. Anja Guenther under phone number.: (+49) 5121/883-
40704 or via E-Mail: anja.guenther@uni-hildesheim.de.
Application Procedure
For full consideration, your application should be received via email (a single PDF) through
the career-portal of the University of Hildesheim: https://bewerbung.uni-hildesheim.de/ under
reference number 2025/63 (english) until 16.03.2025.
The preferred start date is May 1st 2025 but is flexible and will depend on
the timeframe of the most qualified applicant. Your application shall include
a letter of motivation addressing your qualifications and a statement of
research and professional goals (3-5 pages), a curriculum vitae, including
a publication list, names and contact information for three referees, who
would be willing to write confidential letters of recommendation and relevant
certificates.
This is a translation. The original job posting in German is authoritative and
available under https://bewerbung.uni-hildesheim.de/jobpos-
ting/5756ca770cdd13a45293bb238f3985861daeedaf0