2026 Research Associate in Animal Network Ecology at the University of Hamburg

Duties include teaching and research in the respective department or institute. Research associates may also pursue independent research and further academic qualifications as well as acquire teaching experience. These duties are intended to promote academic achievement. Therefore, at least one-third of set working hours will be made available for the associate’s own academic work.

You will perform your own research within the area of ecology, develop own projects, apply for research funding and publish in high quality journals. You will contribute to lab research in the area of animal biodiversity, species interactions and global change, develop collaborations within the team and beyond, (co)supervise students and PhD theses. You will be an active part of scientific life in the lab (seminars, retreats, journal club, etc.) and beyond (workshops, conferences, etc.), and help establish high scientific standards (open science, lab culture, efficient procedures, etc.).

You will teach in BSc and MSc programs in Biology with a total duty of 4 LVS (teaching hours) in the initial term. Part of the teaching duty has to be fulfilled by teaching the fundamentals of zoology (animal biodiversity, morphology, field trips, etc.) and statistics in German language, but there is also freedom to develop specialized courses according to your own preferences.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineFebruary 16, 2026
• Study LevelPostdoctoral Fellowships
• SponsorUniversity of Hamburg
• City to studyHamburg
• School to studyUniversity of Hamburg
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements
• Continuing education opportunities
• University pensions
• Attractive location
• Flexible working hours
• Work-life balance opportunities
• Health management, EGYM Wellpass
• Educational leave
• 30 days of vacation per annum

Requirements

A university degree in a relevant field, plus doctorate.

Further Essentials:

• You are enthusiastic about ecological research and your research focus involves either terrestrial animals (preferably insects) or modeling of biotic interactions
• strong quantitative skills (at least good command of statistics in a coding based language)
• ability to teach (practical) zoology, which requires at least basic knowledge of German
• experience in scientific publishing: at least one first author paper published (or accepted) in a high-quality peer-reviewed journal, and more papers (as first or co-author) submitted or published (Please include a pdf of your favorite own paper in the application documents)
• strong writing and communication skills
• open-minded, critically thinking and quality-oriented attitude

Optional assets:

• good knowledge of arthropod biodiversity / identification
• good knowledge of German Flora
• esearch focus on food webs / ecological networks

Application Documents

• cover letter
• CV
• copies of degree certificate(s)

Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• Use only the online application form to submit your application along with the Application documents.

For more information, kindly visit the University of Hamburg website.