International Science Coordinator Position at the Department Ecology of Animal Societies

International Science Coordinator at the Department Ecology of Animal Societies (f/m/d)

(50-100 %, E 13 TV-L, Reference Number 2020/024) The position is available first for two years and can be prolonged after this initial phase. The start date is as soon as possible. In principle, this position can be divided into two positions.

The University of Konstanz is one of Germany's Universities of Excellence: It was successful in all three funding lines of the German Excellence Initiative and has also been competing successfully in both funding lines of its successor programme, the Excellence Strategy, since 2018.

The newly founded Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies led by Prof. Meg Crofoot is a joint institution of the University of Konstanz with the nearby Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and has close ties to the University’s Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour.

The department embraces an explicitly collaborative approach to scientific exploration. Its multi-disciplinary team works together to develop new ways of measuring, analyzing and interpreting the behaviour of socially complex animal species in ecologically and evolutionarily relevant field settings. To understand the causes and consequences of social variation, the department takes comparative approach, analyzing social interactions—from dyad to group to population—within and between species. Our working language is English and consequently applicants must be fluent in this language; knowledge of German is desirable.

We are searching for an International Science Coordinator who will work with members of the department to facilitate our field-based research. The successful candidate will be the central contact person for all international field research activities and animal experiments and will support department scientists in research planning, permissions, logistics and reporting. In addition to the coordination and organization of the departmental activities at the different international field sites, s/he will be responsible for implementing safety protocols and ensuring compliance with local, state, and/or institutional regulatory requirements. We seek a candidate who is committed to developing a strong understanding of our scientific research program, has strong organizational skills, and has a demonstrated capacity for effective cross-cultural communication. Prior experience with international, field-based research in ecology, animal behavior or related fields is desirable, as are Spanish, French and/or Swahili language skills.

Your responsibilities

-    Coordination of the departmental activities at international field sites

-    Support in planning and organizing animal experiments and field trips, including re-quired licenses and ethical approvals

-    Ensuring compliance with local, state, and/or institutional regulatory requirements

-    Implementation of safety protocols and emergency rules for field trips

-    Documentation and archiving of research records and experimental data

Your Competencies

-    Graduate degree (Master or PhD level) in biology, ecology, anthropology, or a related field

-    Strong organizational and communication skills

-    Experience in international field work and/or environment

-    Knowledge of animal ethics beneficial

-    Broad interests, good interpersonal and intercultural skills, and a desire to work as part of a team

We Offer

-    A vibrant, interdisciplinary research community

-    A global hotspot for the integrated study of animal behaviour across a wide range of species and across scales of organisation

-    Good development opportunities, extensive training and an attractive remuneration package

All applications and supporting materials, including a letter of motivation describing your relevant experience, a curriculum vitae, and contact information for two professional references (one of whom is familiar with your organizational skills) must be submitted in English via our Online Application Portal. Questions can be directed to Dr Mäggi Hieber Ruiz (mhieber@ab.mpg.de) and Prof. Meg Crofoot (mcrofoot@ab.mpg.de). We look forward to receiving your application until February 29, 2020.

The University of Konstanz is committed to ensuring an environment that provides equal opportunities and promotes diversity as well as a good balance between university and family life. To find out how the University of Konstanz supports working couples through its dual career programme, please visit: http://www.uni-konstanz.de/dcc. Persons with disabilities are explicitly encouraged to apply. They will be given preference if appropriately qualified (contact + 49 7531 88–4016).