The Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre in Frankfurt am Main invites applications for a Laboratory manager (m/f/d) in Functional Environmental Genomics (reference #11-24010) (full time / part time options available) The B??lint Group at the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre is seeking a highly motivated laboratory manager to support our work in molecular biodiversity research. Our group investigates the structural and functional patterns of biodiversity change across space and time, and the impacts of human activities on these patterns. We are particularly interested in time series of biodiversity derived from sedimentary ancient DNA and spatial patterns described with environmental DNA. We use molecular data to infer traits and functions in ecological communities. We are currently extending research activities to the tropics, especially to sub-Saharan Africa. Work in the group includes community ecology, whole genome sequencing, DNA- and RNA-based community analyses, and application of statistical tools to link changes in biodiversity to the environment 1???9. The group is part of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F) within the Senckenberg ??? Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research, located close to the city center of Frankfurt am Main. In addition to our dedicated laboratories, we have access to cutting-edge facilities, including robotics, ancient DNA, and computational infrastructure. SBiK-F is an internationally renowned research hub covering interactions among biodiversity and the climate system. The group is interacting with a diverse network of researchers including geologists, bioinformaticians, ecologists, paleo ecologists, paleoanthropologists, etc. from Germany and beyond. The primary working language of the group is English. Your tasks Management of the laboratories of the B??lint Lab, including the acquisition of tools and consumables Implementation of molecular biology protocols in the laboratory or in the field (including tropical field sites), adaptation of protocols, development of new protocols Management of the laboratory and sample database Instruction of employees / students (f/m/d) in the use of laboratories / laboratory methods, and performance of organisational tasks, including the booking of laboratory facilities Instruction, training and control of safety measures in the B??lint Laboratory (initial safety training will be provided)Management of the Frankfurt aDNA laboratory Your profile We encourage you to apply if you meet all obligatory, and at least two of the optional criteria. Obligatory Degree in biological sciences or a related discipline Experience with DNA extractions Experience with optimizing PCR reactions Excellent written and spoken English Experience with working as part of research teams Experience supporting scientists and students in the laboratory Optional Good written and spoken German Experience with environmental DNA Experience with ancient DNA or forensic DNA Experience with library preparations Experience with qPCR Experience with RNA extractions or RT-PCR Experience with molecular laboratory procedures under field conditions Managing sample and supply databases Experience with instructing students What is awaiting you? Flexible working hours ??? leave of absence due to family reasons (audit ???berufundfamilie???) ??? parent-child-office ??? annual special payment ??? company pension scheme ??? Senckenberg badge for free entry in museums in Frankfurt ??? leave of 30 days/year Frankfurt is a vibrant and highly international city at the heart of Europe that combines a skyscraper skyline with ample park and green areas Place of employment: Frankfurt (Main) Working hours: full time / part time options are available Type of contract: the contract shall start in early 2025 and is (initially) limited for 2 years Salary: according to the collective agreement of the State of Hesse (pay grade E 11, TV-H) Senckenberg is committed to diversity. We benefit from the different expertise, perspectives and personalities of our staff and welcome every application from qualified candidates, irrespective of age, gender, ethnic or cultural origin, religion and ideology, sexual orientation and identity or disability. Women are particularly encouraged to apply, as they are underrepresented in the field of this position; in the case of equal qualifications and suitability they will be given preference. Applicants with a severe disability will be given special consideration in case of equal suitability. Senckenberg actively supports the compatibility of work and family and places great emphasis on an equal and inclusive work culture. You would like to apply? We kindly request that you send us your complete and informative application documents, which should contain Your CV,Contact information for at least two references,A summary of your previous experience in a laboratory environment (max. 1 page),Copies of certificates, transcripts and grades in electronic form (as one PDF file) by 18.12.2024 to recruiting@senckenberg.de, and to Prof. Dr. Mikl??s B??lint (miklos.balint@senckenberg.de) quoting this reference number #11-24010, or apply on our homepage using the online application form https://www.senckenberg.de/en/career/apply-online/ Senckenberg Gesellschaft f??r Naturforschung Senckenberganlage 25 60325 Frankfurt a.M. E-Mail: recruiting@senckenberg.de Should you have any scientific inquiries or questions regarding this role, Prof. Dr. Mikl??s B??lint (miklos.balint@senckenberg.de) will be pleased to provide you with the necessary information. For more information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft f??r Naturforschung, please visit www.senckenberg.de. Relevant publications Muelbaier, H. et al. Genomic evidence for the widespread presence of GH45 cellulases among soil invertebrates. Mol. Ecol. 33, e17351 (2024). B??lint, M. & Epp, L. Umwelt-DNA aus der Vergangenheit: Historische Spurensuche zu ??kologie und Evolution. Biol. Unserer Zeit - BiuZ 54, 147???153 (2024). Romahn, J. et al. Glimpse of past dynamics: A new set of phytoplankton primers for sedaDNA. Environ. DNA 6, e577 (2024). Schardt, L. & B??lint, M. Ultra low input library preparation of single soil invertebrate specimens for Hifi PacBio sequencing. protocol.io 1 (2024) doi:10.17504/protocols.io.n92ldmqr7l5b/v1. Collins, G. et al. The MetaInvert soil invertebrate genome resource provides insights into below-ground biodiversity and evolution. Commun. Biol. 6, 1???12 (2023). B??lint, M. et al. Accuracy, limitations and cost efficiency of eDNA-based community survey in tropical frogs. Mol. Ecol. Resour. 18, 1415???1426 (2018). Leese, F. et al. DNA-basierte Biodiversit??tsanalysen im Natur- und Umweltschutz: Welche Optionen haben wir f??r eine Standardisierung? (Deutschland / Bundesamt f??r Naturschutz, Bonn, 2023). doi:10.19217/skr666. Schneider, C. et al. Two high-quality de novo genomes from single ethanol-preserved specimens of tiny metazoans (Collembola). GigaScience 10, (2021). Schmidt, A. et al. Shotgun metagenomics of soil invertebrate communities reflects taxonomy, biomass, and reference genome properties. Ecol. Evol. 12, e8991 (2022). Isabel Gajcevic (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)