Software Developer / Data Scientist (m/f/d) for the ERC Project CARBONWEB

Organisation/Company: Senckenberg Gesellschaft fuer Naturforschung

Research Field: Computer science » Programming

Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2)

Positions: Research Support Positions

Country: Germany

Application Deadline: 1 Apr 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Part-time

Hours Per Week: 32

Offer Starting Date: 1 May 2025

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC

Reference Number: 08-25005

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung with its head institute in Frankfurt (Main) is seeking the following person for the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz:

Software Developer / Data Scientist (m/f/d) for the ERC Project CARBONWEB

Are you passionate about software development, data science, and cutting-edge ecological research? The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung invites you to become part of an exciting international project at the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz. We are seeking a motivated Software Developer / Data Scientist(m/f/d) (80% of a full-time position) to support the ERC-funded project CARBONWEB, ideally starting May 1st, 2025.

About the Project

Soil food webs drive 90% of terrestrial primary production and regulate one of the largest carbon pools on Earth -yet they remain poorly understood. The CARBONWEB project aims to fill this gap by analysing soil food web dynamics and their role in global biogeochemistry. Our research integrates data from the global Soil BON monitoring network, controlled experiments, and modelling.

Your role will be pivotal in developing data infrastructure and automating data and image exchange processes.You will collaborate with international researchers, database developers of Edaphobase ( https://www.edaphobase.org), and Dr. Clement Schneider (expert in invertebrate image analysis).

Your Tasks

• Develop an SQL database for project data and images
• Create an interface for direct data and image uploads (mobile or web app)
• Automate data exchange among the image annotation interface, project SQL database, and Edaphobase
• Establish automated pipelines to detect, classify, and measure soil invertebrates using existing and newly developed software
• Implement (semi-)automated data quality control procedures
• Contribute to the development of the project’s website

Your Profile

• Master’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent background and experience
• Strong programming skills in Python or other modern software development languages
• Experience in data management and SQL databases
• Knowledge of deep learning algorithms and image processing
• Good spoken and written English skills
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team

Additional Advantages

• Experience in mobile/web application development
• Background in scientific data processing or ecological modelling
• Good spoken and written German skills

What is awaiting you?

• An exciting, responsible and rewarding role in a world-renowned research organisation with motivated and professional peers
• Collaboration with leading scientists and software developers
• Flexible working hours and remote work options – Family-friendly working conditions (certified by "audit berufundfamilie") – Senckenberg badge with free admission to all Senckenberg museums – Company pension scheme – Annual special payment (according to TV-L) – 30 days of vacation per year

Location and Contract Details

Place of employment: Goerlitz, Saxony (Germany)

Employment scope: Part-time (80% of full-time position)

Contract duration: Fixed-term for 3 years (starting ideally May 1st, 2025)

Salary: Planned salary group E 13 TV-L (in accordance with German public sector agreements)

Where to apply

E-mail: recruiting@senckenberg.de

Requirements

Research Field: Computer science » Programming

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent background and experience
• Strong programming skills in Python or other modern software development languages
• Experience in data management and SQL databases
• Knowledge of deep learning algorithms and image processing
• Good spoken and written English skills
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team

Languages

ENGLISH Level: Excellent

Additional Information

Selection process: Assessment and selection of candidates (m/f/d) will start after the application deadline.