PhD Position “Bushmeat and Associated Infectious Agents Characterization

Established in 1817, the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN) stands as a leading global research institution in biodiversity. Over 40 nations’ scientists engage in cutting-edge research across its eleven German sites. The renowned Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz adds to the institution’s eminence, located in a historically rich town with an excellent quality of life.

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, headquartered in Frankfurt (Main), seeks to fill a PhD Position within the Senckenberg Naturkundemuseum Görlitz, Department of Zoology, Mammalogy section at its Görlitz site as soon as possible. The position is offered as:

PhD Position “Bushmeat and Associated Infectious Agents Characterization”
(part-time position 65%)

About the Project:

The project, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, titled “Co-creating and Evaluating Behavioral Change Interventions for Reducing the Zoonotic Risk Associated with Wildlife Consumption (Behavior Change),” is a collaborative effort involving Senckenberg Society for Nature Research, Marburg University, Daloa University, Centre Swiss des Recherches Scientifiques (CSRS) in Côte d’Ivoire, and Ecole Inter Etats des Sciences et Médecine Vétérinaires de Dakar in Senegal. Working in partnership with the Helmholtz Institute for One Health (HIOH) in Greifswald, and their working group “Ecology and Emergence of Zoonotic Diseases,” this position is offered.

West African wildlife, including bats, rodents, primates, and ungulates, harbor infectious agents with zoonotic potential such as coronaviruses, ebola viruses, and pox virus. These animals are hunted in West African countries, potentially exposing hunters and consumers to infectious risks.

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The interdisciplinary “Behavior Change” project aims to understand bushmeat consumption, related risks, and explore alternatives to bushmeat in African countries. The PhD position is part of this project and focuses on ecology and zoonotic aspects. This role involves fieldwork in Ivory Coast and Liberia, involving the collection of bushmeat, flies, swabs, and latrine samples from markets and restaurants. These samples will be characterized using molecular techniques to identify infectious agents. Lab work will be conducted in Ivory Coast and at HIOH, Germany.

Your Responsibilities:

• Extensive fieldwork (>6 months) in Ivory Coast and Liberia, collecting diverse sample types.
• Collaboration with an African PhD student conducting a parallel project and performing laboratory activities in Ivory Coast (>6 months).
• Utilizing innovative eDNA sampling techniques for bushmeat characterization.
• Employing next-generation sequencing techniques for sample characterization.
• Publishing results in international journals.

Your Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Veterinary Medicine, Biology, Genetics, or a related field.
• Strong interest in applied molecular ecology.
• Preferred experience with fieldwork in tropical countries.
• Laboratory experience in molecular settings.
• Team-oriented with excellent communication skills in written and oral English; oral proficiency in French (B1) is advantageous.

We Offer:

• A compelling and diverse role in a globally recognized research institution.
• An international, motivated, and professional environment.
• Flexible working hours, childcare and family support (certified by the “audit berufundfamilie”), free admission to municipal museums with a Senckenberg badge, collectively agreed annual special payment, collectively agreed holiday entitlement, company pension plan.

Place of Employment: Görlitz (Saxony); Greifswald (lab work)

Scope of Employment: Part-time 65% (26 hours/week)

Type of Contract: Limited for 48 months; starting as soon as possible, ideally from September 1st, 2023.

Remuneration: According to public service position, TV-L E 13

Senckenberg values diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of age, gender, gender identity, ethnic or cultural origin, religion and belief, sexual orientation and identity, or disability. Applicants with severe disabilities will receive preferential consideration if they have the same qualifications. Senckenberg actively supports work-family balance and promotes an equal and inclusive cooperative culture.

Application Process:

Submit your complete application package (brief cover letter detailing research interests and experience (1 page), CV, copies of academic certificates, transcripts, and grades) as one single PDF document mentioning reference #08-23007 by August 31st, 2023, to recruiting(at)senckenberg.de. Alternatively, you can apply through the online application form on the Senckenberg website.

For specific inquiries about this role, please contact Prof. Dr. Hjalmar Kühl at hjalmar.kuehl(at)senckenberg.de.

For further information about Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, visit www.senckenberg.de.