Paleontologist (Postdoc) (m/f/d) in the DFG funded project “Thrived or died? Better understanding

As a member of the DNFS (German Natural History Research Collections e.V.), the State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe (SMNK) is one of the largest research museums and collections in Germany and showcases permanent and special exhibitions on over 5000 m², including the largest living coral reef in Germany. With extensive analogous and digital offerings, it attracts more than 200,000 visitors every year. As a nationally and internationally active research museum in the fields of geosciences and biosciences, the museum enjoys recognition far beyond the region. The SMNK has a well-developed research infrastructure with molecular laboratories and imaging facilities. Based on its extensive collections and the taxonomic expertise of its curators, the museum is also an important point of contact for the general public, schools, and the press who are interested in plant, fungal and animal species in south-western Germany. Additionally, the SMNK serves as an important resource for experts in the region, as well as a collaborative partner for national and international institutes.

The Palaeontology Division of the State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe is looking for a

Paleontologist (Postdoc) (m/f/d)

in the DFG funded project “Thrived or died? Better understanding Fossil-Lagerstätten through Digitization”

(limited to 2 years, full time, EG 13 TV-L)

Overview of the role: The selected candidate will be a member of a research group with responsibility for carrying out data collection and interpretation of the Fossil-Lagerstätten collections at the State Museum of Natural History Museum Karlsruhe (SMNK). The researcher will work under the direction of Dr. Julien Kimmig as part of a wider team including Dr. Sara Kimmig (University of Tübingen, TERRA Cluster of Excellence). The post holder will co-supervise collections staff and students that will assist them with the tasks. Two students will also be employed at the University Tübingen to assist with geochemical analyses and georeferencing.

**Summary:**The overarching goal of this project is to collect and digitize all the specimen, label meta, sedimentological, and geochemical data for the Fossil-Lagerstätten specimens in the SMNK paleontology collections. This pilot study will provide a complete geological, paleontological, and biological dataset for these specimens and provide the most complete dataset on Fossil-Lagerstätten known at this time. The collected data will include the species level identification, occurrences, stratigraphic horizons, and chrono- and biostratigraphic ages of constituent species. The project also plans to generate a wide variety of environmental data that will become important metadata for the understanding of depositional environments, climate change, as well as taphonomic studies.The collaborative THRIVED OR DIED? BETTER UNDERSTANDING FOSSIL-LAGERSTÄTTEN THROUGH DIGITIZATION project combines the expertise and infrastructure of the SMNK, the University Tübingen, and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. It will revolutionize how Fossil-Lagerstätten museum collections are digitized, creating a multi-proxy approach of field, museum collection, sedimentological, and geochemical data.

The results of this project will be made publicly available through different databases. The post holder will be in charge of preparing the data for publication in these databases.

Experience: The ideal candidate will have training and experience in vertebrate or invertebrate paleontology, taxonomy and systematics, 2D and 3D imaging, a proven publication record, and experience in using updated imaging technology, such as SEM, SEM-EDS, Micro-CT and CT. They will also have experience in presenting research results to both scientific audiences and the general public. They must have demonstrated comfort in working with a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach to projects and also have experience working in a museum context (e.g., visiting natural history collections, leveraging them for research purposes, and/or working in a natural history museum). They will have demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills and demonstrate strong personal and professional integrity.

Your tasks:

· Digitizing the Fossil-Lagerstätten collections at the SMNK

· 2D imaging of all specimens

· 3D imaging of selected specimens

· Preparing specimens for thin section manufacturing

· Preparing specimens for geochemical analyses

· Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols

· Collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and journal articles and occasionally present papers and posters

· Use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment

· Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the team on scientific protocols and experimental techniques

· Represent the research group at external meetings/seminars, either with other members of the group or alone

· Implement imaging workflows

· Coordinate geochemical and sedimentological analyses

Selection criteria:

Essential:

· Hold a PhD in paleontology, or related disciplines

· Experience with SEM and SEM-EDS data generation, processing, and interpretation

· Experience in museum collections

· Experience with fossils from Konservat-Lagerstätten

· Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation

· Excellent written and verbal English communication skills

· Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings

· Excellent project and time management skills

· Ability to acquire accurate, reproducible data

· Strong interpersonal skills and mentoring skills

· The ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team

Desirable:

· Experience with Micro-CT imaging, image reconstruction and signal processing

· Experience in collections management

· Experience with museum databases

· Knowledge of tomographic methods

· Experience with sedimentary geochemical methods and data interpretation

· Experience with isotope geochemistry

· Basic to conversational German language skills

· Experience in supervising, mentoring or supporting students, staff, volunteers or research assistants

We offer:

· A competitive salary established by collective agreements, payment will be in EG 13 TV-L

· Contract duration of two years

· Contributing to an engaging mission as well as an exciting project and challenge

· Contribution to a DFG-funded project

· An inclusive, friendly and safe work environment

· The opportunity to work at a nationally renowned research museum with recognized collections and an attractive exhibitions

· A workplace in the center of Karlsruhe, with excellent public transport connections

· Collaboration with the University Tübingen and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

· Flexible work time and family-friendly working hours (39.5 h/week); possibility of mobile working (1 day/week)

· Participation in company health management, job ticket and job bike subsidized by the state of Baden-Württemberg

Application materials:

· Cover letter

· CV

Equal opportunities are crucial to our human resources policy. We highly value diversity and therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, and identity.

People with disabilities will obtain preferential consideration if equally qualified. Please mention this in your cover letter and enclose proof. The SMNK strives to increase the proportion of women in areas where underrepresented and therefore expressly encourages qualified women to apply.

Please send your informative electronic application with CV, list of publications, certificates and references to bewerbung@smnk.de by 27.09.2026, quoting reference number 16_2026.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Dr. Julien Kimmig via E-Mail: julien.kimmig@smnk.de.

Please note that the application documents will be forwarded to the persons involved in the recruitment process. Unfortunately, costs associated with interviews cannot be covered or reimbursed.

Further information on the State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe can also be found on the Internet at www.smnk.de

Data protection notice for applicants

The protection of your personal data is an important concern for the Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe and is guaranteed at all times. All personal data collected and processed as part of an application is protected against unauthorized access and manipulation by technical and organizational measures.

Your data will only be used to process your application within the Natural History Museum and will be treated in strict confidence in accordance with legal regulations.

If you send your application by e-mail, please note that confidentiality risks and unauthorized access by third parties cannot be ruled out when communicating by unencrypted e-mail.

Questions and suggestions on data protection

If you have any questions or suggestions on the subject of data protection, please contact our data protection officer. E-mail: datenschutz@smnk.de

Gehalt: 58.000,00€ - 62.000,00€ pro Jahr

Arbeitsort: Vor Ort