Postdoctoral Positions for Women

We invite outstanding women postdoctoral researchers to apply for a two-year postdoc position at IGB. The programme is designed to support excellent early-career researchers by providing an internationally competitive research environment, scientific independence, and access to unique research infrastructure. This programme specifically aims to increase the proportion of woman postdocs at IGB and to foster their career development.
Applicants should be 2-5* years after completion of their PhD degree. Special provisions apply to applicants from underrepresented groups and to those whose career paths have been affected by health or care related responsibilities (see below).

Are you ready to establish your own research direction in freshwater science or inland fisheries? Are you highly motivated to put your ideas into impactful research? Would you like to engage with an interdisciplinary team of internationally recognized scientists dedicated to advancing freshwater ecology, inland fisheries, and related fields? Are you looking for access to world-class experimental facilities that enable innovative approaches to pressing questions in freshwater research? If so, we encourage you to apply.

At IGB, you will join an international community of researchers working at the forefront of freshwater science. IGB provides excellent laboratory and field facilities for interdisciplinary research, large-scale experimental platforms, and access to data from long-term research programmes, offering exceptional opportunities for ecosystem-scale research. IGB is located in Berlin, a vibrant and highly international science hub with excellent research infrastructure and a high quality of life. English is the working language, ensuring an open and accessible environment for researchers from around the world.

About the postdoctoral programme

The deadline is 1 October each year. We offer 24-month postdoctoral positions designed to support early-career women researchers in developing and implementing original research ideas at IGB. Candidates are expected to establish their own research profile while actively engaging with scientists, doctoral candidates and technical staff across the institute. IGB provides excellent laboratory and field facilities for interdisciplinary research, large-scale experimental platforms, and access to data from long-term research programmes.

Requirements and first contact

Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in a research field relevant to IGB. Before writing an application, please contact your potential host at IGB and jointly develop a research proposal aligned with the objectives of the Frontiers in Freshwater Science programme and IGB’s broader research agenda. Information about all IGB research groups can be found here. The following links to IGB’s five departments may help to identify suitable hosts to pursue your ideas:

  1. Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry
  2. Community and Ecosystem Ecology
  3. Plankton and Microbial Ecology
  4. Fish Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture
  5. Evolutionary and Integrative Ecology

Documents required for your application:

  • Your CV°, including a complete list of publications
  • Certificate of your doctoral degree
  • A motivation letter indicating your research interests and experience (max. 1 page)
  • Your ideas for research to be conducted at IGB, outlining your aims and proposed activities (max. 2 pages)
  • A letter of support by your host(s), including appreciation for the candidate and the proposed work, complementarity to the expertise of the host group and added value for IGB (max. 1 page)
  • Optional: recommendation letter(s), if regarded useful by the host

Application and selection process

The deadline is 1 October each year. Submission of the documents is only possible through the IGB host. The selection process is competitive. The following evaluation criteria apply:

  • Scientific track record of the applicant and their potential to reach the aims of the proposed project
  • Scientific quality and relevance of the proposed research
  • Expected added value for the hosting group and for IGB as a whole

The Frontiers in Freshwater Science programme particularly welcomes applicants who aim to develop a follow-up third-party funding application on the same or a related topic as part of their planned activities.

Disabled applicants with equal qualifications will be given preference.

A selection committee at IGB will recommend the most promising applications to the Executive Board of the institute. The awardees will be notified no later than eight weeks after the application deadline.

Financial support

Postdoctoral positions are paid according to the German TVöD salary scheme for scientists in public research institutions (Labour Agreement of the Public Service), including social security and health insurance. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer monthly support of up to 300 € that can be used for research-related expenses, incl. workshop or conference attendance.

 

- - -

 

* Extensions of that period are granted for:

  • Childcare obligations: 2 years per child (also in cases without formal parental leave), with longer periods applying in case career breaks or accumulated worktime reduction exceeded this duration
  • Care obligations in general (i.e. documented leave of absence or reduced working time for caretaking of family members)

  • Disability/chronic disease: up to 2 years, depending on individual circumstances

     

^ Candidates belonging to groups underrepresented in academia are encouraged to indicate this in their cover letters, as it will be favourably considered in the selection process. Applicants with care-related or health-related career breaks or work time reduction may indicate this in their CV, as the evaluation will be adjusted to fairly consider achievements relative to the time available.

Contact person

Ina Severin

Science Management