Website University of Greifswald
The Zoological Institute and Museum , Department of Animal Ecology, of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Greifswald, is seeking to fill a part-time position (65%) subject to funding approval, expected to start on September 1, 2026 , for a fixed term of 3 years .
research assistant
The position is to be filled. Remuneration is based on pay grade 13 TV-L Wissenschaft (Collective Agreement for Public Service Employees in the State of Hesse, Academic Staff).
In this context, we are investigating how nutrient availability affects the development and effectiveness of defense mechanisms in water fleas – a crucial aspect for better understanding the complex interactions in the food web of freshwater ecosystems. Nutrients are transferred from primary producers to higher trophic levels, while predation is one of the main drivers of natural selection. In response to predation, many prey animals have evolved defense mechanisms that reduce its effects. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of how prey animals suffer from nutrient deprivation, we will examine the influence of nutrient availability on the expression of defense mechanisms in cladocerans (water fleas) of the genus Daphnia . Daphnia play a vital role in the transfer of essential nutrients from primary producers to higher trophic levels in freshwater ecosystems and represent a well-established model system for studying predator-prey interactions and nutritional ecology.
In this project, we investigate the influence of food quantity and quality on the expression of inducible defense mechanisms using established predator-prey systems. The project is being conducted in collaboration with the research group of Christian Laforsch at the University of Bayreuth and Dominik Martin-Creuzburg at the Research Station for Aquatic Ecology in Bad Saarow of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg. As part of this project, a second position is available at the University of Bayreuth. This second position will work closely with the one advertised here. We will investigate how the availability of carbon and essential lipids affects the expression of defense mechanisms and resource distribution in Daphnia. By examining these changes and assessing the nutritional costs of inducible defense mechanisms, we will gain a better mechanistic understanding of how inducible defense mechanisms in Daphnia are influenced by the phytoplankton community, how nutrient deficiencies can limit the expression of defense mechanisms, and how this affects ecosystem stability.
The position offers the opportunity to link a doctoral thesis to the work area using the results generated in the project.
Job tasks:
- Independent and solution-oriented familiarization with project-related topics
- Hypothesis-driven planning and execution of laboratory experiments
- Lipid analysis using gas chromatography
- Statistical analyses
- Writing and publishing scientific publications
- Presenting findings at conferences
- Close collaboration with project partners
- Supervision of Bachelor’s and Master’s students
Hiring requirements:
- Above-average academic university degree (Master’s/Diploma) in the field of life sciences
- Interest in laboratory work with a focus on ecology
- Very high level of commitment, motivation, reliability and initiative
- Excellent English skills
- Willingness to travel
- Teamwork skills and willingness to help
Other knowledge and skills that will be taken into account in the selection decision:
- Knowledge and interest in statistical methods and working with R
- Experience with aquatic organisms, especially Daphnia
- Knowledge of gas chromatography and lipid analysis
- Solid knowledge in aquatic ecology and climate change
- Very good knowledge of trophic interactions, especially at the primary producer-consumer interface.
Please submit a summary of your Master’s/Diploma thesis along with your application documents.
This job posting is open to all persons regardless of gender. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference if equally qualified.
According to § 68 para. 3 PersVG MV, the participation of the staff council in personnel matters of the scientific/artistic staff only takes place upon request.
Unfortunately, the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern cannot reimburse any costs you incur as part of the application process.
Please note that submitting your application constitutes your consent, under data protection law, to the processing of your application data by us and our project partners. Further information on the legal basis and data usage can be found here .
Please submit your application with the usual documents preferably by email (one PDF file) quoting job posting number 26/Wi06 by June 15, 2026 to:
University of Greifswald
Zoological Institute and Museum
Dr. Marvin Kiene
Loitzer Str. 26
17489 Greifswald
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