Curator Ornithology (m/f/d)

The Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) is one of the large, globally connected research museums of the Leibniz Association. In addition to excellent research on biodiversity and its change, we are advancing the further development of our extensive scientific collections with an international team and state-of-the-art technology. With our exhibition, knowledge transfer and communication work at our exhibition venues Museum Koenig Bonn and Museum der Natur Hamburg, we want to spread enthusiasm for nature and contribute with our research topics to current socio-political discussions on species loss, climate change and the protection of ecosystems. The construction of an integrated natural history museum is being planned for the Hamburg location; the research infrastructure at the Bonn location is currently being significantly expanded.

Become part of our institute in Hamburg. We are looking for the next possible date, limited according to the WissZeitVG for three years a scientist for a position as

Curator Ornithology (m/f/d)

in full-time 39.00 hours/week, at LIB Hamburg, representing research at an internationally competitive level. The successful candidate will bring together the bird collection and ornithological research on biodiversity change in space and time.

The candidate’s scientific expertise should include collection-based ornithological research and must cover at least one of the following research fields:

• Systematics, taxonomy and phylogenetics
• Evolution of phenotypic traits
• Functional ecology
• Biogeography

With a preference for methodologies such as morphometrics, bioacoustics or phylogenomics

Your profile:

• a PhD in zoology, biology or related areas with a focus on ornithology,
• expertise in taxonomy and systematics in extant birds,
• hands-on working experience with natural history collections, especially birds,
• high quality publication record relative to opportunity
• track record of third-party funding relative to opportunity
• track record, or potential of developing a research group
• track record of team-work and collaboration
• demonstrate a vision for future research, collection development and third-party funding

Your tasks:

• Integrate into the Centre for Taxonomy and Morphology in Hamburg and play a strong role in advancing the LIB's reputation as a preeminent institution for the study of biodiversity change on a global scale.
• Conduct internationally recognised collection-based research and build a research group in Hamburg
• Assume full curatorial responsibility for the ornithological collection housed by LIB Hamburg, including preparing for and relocating the ornithological collection into the new museum building (projected building completion: 2030-2032)
• Additional curatorial duties such as collection management, provision of scientific services, expansion and digitization of the collection, and contributions to outreach activities.
• Promote and lead LIB-internal teamwork and external collaborations
• Forge collaborations within the LIB (Hamburg and Bonn)

We offer:

• An attractive position in an excellent research institution with a high degree of creative potential in a dynamic scientific and social environment. This is a tenure-track position, initially limited for three years according to the WissZeitVG. Starting remuneration will be in pay group E13 according to the TV-L. After a successful tenure evaluation, the candidate will be classified in TV-L E14.
• Remuneration according to the collective agreement of the federal states with all the benefits of the public sector (company pension scheme, annual special payment, capital-forming benefits, collectively agreed vacation entitlement)
• Family friendliness certified by the „Work and Family Audit‟, offer of life coaching through professional family service
• the possibility of obtaining a job ticket
• A centrally located workplace with excellent transport links

Please send your complete application documents in english (CV, certificates, lists of publications and funding) and a concept for leading the Ornithology section should be submitted, max. 10 MB per document) by August 30, 2026 exclusively digitally via our career portal: https://8101202752.karriereportal.cloud/ to Ms. Winkels. For organizational reasons, only online applications will be accepted.

The Leibniz Association is committed to diversity and gender equity. The LIB strives to create a diverse, inclusive, welcoming and positive work environment. We are certified as a family-friendly institution. We strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities and abilities to apply. We particularly aim to increase the proportion of women in areas where women are under-represented and to promote their careers. Severely disabled people will be given preference if equally qualified. You can find more information about our institution on the Internet at: https://leibniz-lib.de/