Leading Scientist (f/m/x) in Water Research
Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung - UFZ
04318 Leipzig
Bewerbungsfrist: 2026-10-28
The job
- To pioneer outstanding aquatic ecosystem research at UFZ's mesocosm facility MOBICOS, the UFZ is seeking an excellent leader for the 6-year project AquaResponse — Experimental Analysis of Aquatic Ecosystem Responses to Present and Future Environmental Change. The project is structured into two three-year phases, with the second phase contingent on a successful interim evaluation. The position offers a tenure-track perspective.
- Place of work Magdeburg, Flexible and mobile working arrangements are supported in accordance with institutional policies.
- Working time 100% (39 h/week)
- The job position is available for full-time or part-time employment.
- The fixed-term contract (initially 3 years and further 3 years after positive interim evaluation) will be based on the individual candidate's circumstances.
- Salary Remuneration according to the TVöD public-sector up to pay grade 13 including attractive public-sector social security benefits.
- Applications and contact details are provided in the Further information on the job and the application section.
Your tasks
- Research Concept & International Collaboration: Develop and implement an independent research programme to analyse the effects of present and future stressors as well as management options on the biodiversity, functions, processes and resilience of running-water ecosystems.
- Set-up experimental designs for mesocosm and field studies, including stressor scenarios, management measures, control approaches, monitoring programmes and statistical analysis strategies.
- Establish international research collaborations in these areas.
- Third-Party Funding Acquisition: Secure third-party research funding sufficient to establish and staff a dedicated research group supporting the project's focus.
- Scientific Leadership: Lead the research group and manage its resources supporting the project's focus, including co-supervision of doctoral researchers and responsible planning, coordination, and oversight of personnel, financial, and infrastructure resources for the group and, where relevant, the research infrastructure.
- Coordination & Management of the Research Infrastructure: Strategically advance the MOBICOS infrastructure towards a well-utilised and quality-assured research infrastructure that can be operated independently by UFZ staff, in coordination with the RI's governing committee, and enable application-oriented experiments and recommendations for action.
- Public Engagement & Dissemination: Communicate the project's research findings through peer-reviewed publications, internal UFZ presentations, and international conference talks; lead the facility's public outreach through digital science communication, public lecture series, or interactive community events.
- Line management responsibility for your own working group and a voice in strategic and financial decisions at department level
- Active integration into leading national and international research networks and support in building your professional profile
- Freedom to shape your own research agenda between basic and applied sciences, embedded in strong scientific networks
- Access to excellent research infrastructure and a well-equipped technical working environment to support your research
- Active mentoring and leadership training
- Clear target agreements and regular feedback discussions to support your ongoing career development
- A supportive, flexible working environment with strong support for work-life balance, accommodating individual needs, as well as support for international staff
- A vibrant region with high quality of life and cultural diversity
Your profile
- Master's degree and PhD in a field of environmental science with a focus on aquatic ecology
- Experience in the field of aquatic ecology and the experimental analysis of stressor effects on the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems under natural conditions (mesocosms)
- Research experience in analysing ecological processes and experimentally investigating ecological relationships, preferentially across different compartments of running-water ecosystems (incl. hyporheic zone, benthos)
- Excellent publication record in relation to career stage in at least one of these research fields
- Good record of third-party funding acquisition
- Experience in scientific cooperation, e.g., within project groups or scientific networks
- Experience in supervision (Bachelor, Master, and/or PhD) and/or leadership responsibilities
- Well-developed communication skills
- Excellent written and spoken English skills
We offer
- Line management responsibility for your own working group and a voice in strategic and financial decisions at department level
- Active integration into leading national and international research networks and support in building your professional profile
- Freedom to shape your own research agenda between basic and applied sciences, embedded in strong scientific networks
- Access to excellent research infrastructure and a well-equipped technical working environment to support your research
- Active mentoring and leadership training
- Clear target agreements and regular feedback discussions to support your ongoing career development
- A supportive, flexible working environment with strong support for work-life balance, accommodating individual needs, as well as support for international staff
- A vibrant region with high quality of life and cultural diversity
Befristung | Bedingungen
- The anticipated starting date is February 1, 2027.
- Applications must be submitted by October 28, 2026.
- Short interviews online November 4-5, 2026; in-person interviews November 18-19, 2026.
- Fixed-term contract initially 3 years and further 3 years after positive interim evaluation.
- Place of work: Magdeburg; flexible/mobile working arrangements supported.
Further information on the job and the application
- Apply now (online portal; no photo, no age or marital status information)
- Application deadline: 28.10.2026
Contact
- Your contact for any questions you may have about the job: markus.weitere@ufz.de
Additional information
- Diversity and Inclusion statement from UFZ encouraging applicants from diverse backgrounds.