Die Naturgeschichtliche Abteilung des Hessischen Landesmuseums führt in nächsten Jahr wieder wissenschaftliche Grabungen in der mittel-eozänen Fossilien- lagerstätte Grube Messel bei Darmstadt durch. Hierfür werden für den Zeitraum vom 17.08.2026 – 11.09.2026 studentische Praktikanten/Praktikantinnen gesucht. Die Mindestdauer für die Grabungsteilnahme beträgt 4 Wochen.
Für das Praktikum kann eine Aufwandsentschädigung von € 125 pro Woche bezahlt werden, Unterkunft und dergleichen muss aber selbst besorgt und bestritten werden. Der An- und Abtransport zur Grube Messel muss privat organisiert werden (ggf. über Fahrgemeinschaften). Der tägliche Treffpunkt am Grubeneingang ist 8.15 Uhr, das Ende der Grabungen ist in der Regel 16.15 Uhr, freitags gegen 12.45. Außer wetterfester Kleidung, solidem Schuhwerk, einer Einschlaglupe, Sonnenschutzmittel, ausreichender Verpflegung, Getränken und guter Laune braucht nichts mitgebracht zu werden. Allerdings sollte keine Insektenstich-Allergie vorliegen. Interessenten werden gebeten, sich schriftlich unter der u.g. Adresse zu bewerben.
Zusätzlich benötigen wir eine offizielle Bescheinigung von ihrer Hochschule, die bestätigt, dass das Praktikum für den Studiengang vorgeschrieben ist, ergänzt durch eine Immatrikulationsbescheinigung. Wir benötigen dies, um den Status zu klären und die korrekte Abwicklung sicherzustellen.
Ansprechpartner:
Prof. Dr. Torsten Wappler
Tel.: ++ 49 6151 3601 261 e-mail: torsten.wappler@hlmd.de
Bewerbungen bitte an: Naturgeschichtliche Abteilung
z. Hd. Prof. Dr. Torsten Wappler Hessisches Landesmuseum Friedensplatz 1
D-64283 Darmstadt
Department of Palaeontology, University of Zurich
Collection management and digitalisation
of macro-invertebrate fossils
80% non-tenured position (maximum 3 years)
We are seeking a highly motivated candidate to actively work with our invertebrate collections.
We seek to improve the collection’s documentation by cataloguing specimens in the Department’s database, digitising and integrating associated images, and identifying material of particular value for palaeontological research.
Your responsibilities
You will coordinate and carry out the curation of parts of the Department’s invertebrate collection in need of improved documentation, including SQL-based database entry, verification and correction of taxonomic determinations, digital imaging and 3D surface rendering of specimens, identifying material, and contributing to scientific project development with Department researchers.
Collections that need work include:
Regional collections from Swiss localities (Jura, Ticino)
Research leading to publications in parallel to the curatorial work is encouraged, but it is secondary to the main tasks of this position.
What we offer
A dynamic, innovative and challenging research and museum environment, an excellent opportunity for further strong, career-relevant qualifications for museum work, and a motivated and team-minded faculty interested in academic exchange.
The opportunity to shape and modernise internationally significant fossil collections spanning a wide range of taxa and geological periods. Our collections have underpinned a wealth of scientific publications and are considered an important reference for vertebrate and invertebrate fossils alike.
Attractive employment conditions in accordance with University of Zurich regulations, including a competitive salary and social benefits for up to three years.
Information on your application
Deadline for application: 31. January 2026 Start of employment: 1. June 2026
Duration: Up to three years of 80% employment, starting with a renewable one-year contract.
We are looking forward to your application. Please submit all documents other than your thesis as a single PDF file including the following documents:
Your Master (or PhD, if completed) thesis in the field of palaeontology,
geology, earth sciences, evolutionary biology, zoology or a closely related field
A statement of how you plan to improve the conditions of our collections and
how it can be used in research and outreach more efficiently
Applicants will be assessed based on criteria such as experience with invertebrate macrofossils, digitalisation, research in invertebrate palaeontology. Top-ranked candidates will be invited for an interview.
The University of Zurich actively promotes equal opportunities in order to offer a diverse workplace and is characterised by an open and inclusive approach. Zurich consistently ranks among the world’s most liveable cities, offering exceptional quality of life, excellent public transport, diverse cultural opportunities and immediate access to lakes, forests and the Alps. It is an international, safe and vibrant environment ideally suited for both professional and personal development.
Applications including all required documents should be sent to Heike Götzmann at heike.goetzmann@pim.uzh.ch. For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Christian Klug at chklug@pim.uzh.ch)
Im Rahmen unserer zwei Grabungskampagnen April/Mai und August/September 2026 in der Fossilienfundstätte "Grube Messel" sind mehrere Praktikumsplätze zu vergeben. Die Bewerbungen müssen spätestens bis zum 31. Januar 2026 in Messel eingegangen sein. Die Kandidat*innen sollten sich besonders für Paläontologie interessieren und die für Ausgrabungen notwendige Einsatzbereitschaft mitbringen. Wir weisen darauf hin, dass alle ausgegrabenen Fossilien Eigentum des Landes Hessen sind.
Bitte reichen Sie mit der kompletten Bewerbung (Anschreiben + CV) noch folgende Nachweise
ein:
Immatrikulationsbescheinigung einer Hochschule bzw. Universität in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland und den Auszug aus der Studienordnung für den zu erbringenden Nachweis eines Pflichtpraktikums.
Pro geleistetem Arbeitstag erhalten die Teilnehmenden eine Aufwandsentschädigung in Höhe von 28 €.
Allen Teilnehmenden stellen wir eine kostenlose Unterbringungsmöglichkeit zur Verfügung. An- und Abreise sowie Verpflegung muss von der jeweiligen Person selbst getragen werden.
Bitte bewerben Sie sich per E-Mail:
grube.messel@senckenberg.de
ACHTUNG:
Bewerbungsschluss:
31. Januar 2026 (Eingang in Messel)
Mit freundlichen Grüßen aus Messel gez. Dr. Sonja Wedmann
Senckenberg Forschungsstation Grube Messel
Sonja Wedmann Sektionsleiterin Abteilung Messelforschung
Markstraße 35 64409 Messel
Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung Senckenberganlage 25 60325 Frankfurt am Main www.senckenberg.de
Direktorium: Prof. Dr. Klement Tockner Prof. Dr. Angelika Brandt Dr. Lutz Kunzmann Dr. Martin Mittelbach Prof. Dr. Andreas Mulch
Mitglied der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft
Call for Research Project Applications - Ref. #01-25063
Founded in 1817, Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN) is one of the world’s leading research institutions in the field of biodiversity. At our twelve sites in Germany, scientists from over 40 nations conduct cutting-edge research on an international scale. Our headquarter is located in the thriving commercial metropolis of Frankfurt (Mainhatten) in the heart of Germany, which also hosts one of our most famous facilities, the Senckenberg Natural History Museum.
The Senckenberg Society for Nature Research, the Daimler and Benz Foundation, Gerda Henkel Foundation and the Werner Reimers Foundation will jointly bestow the Southeast-Asia Biocultural Evolution Research Fund for 2026 - 2027 (“Research Fund”) for a research project in a thematic context of human evolution and palaeo-biodiversity in South-East-Asia.
At the Senckenberg Research Institute Frankfurt, we call for applications for the Southeast-Asia Biocultural Evolution Research Fund 2026 - 2027
More than one million years ago, early hominins found their way from Africa via Central Asia to Southeast Asia, opening a new geographical chapter in the early prehistory and dispersal of members of the genus Homo. Many questions about the routes, how and when exactly these migrations took place, and about evolutionary biocultural implications involved in that important period of human prehistory remain to be answered. The scientific funding programme therefore invites young scientists in Southeast Asia to submit project applications for field and/or laboratory research, in particular for explorations and excavations of new fossil sites.
South-East-Asian palaeontological and palaeoanthropological research at the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt goes back to pioneering works of the world-renowned palaeontologist Gustav Heinrich Ralph von Koenigswald, who joined Senckenberg in 1968, funded by the Werner Reimers Foundation.
The funding programme supports promising and creative research ideas offering to early-stage scientists (m/f/d) from a Southeast-Asian country up to 10 years after the doctorate to apply for an academic scholarship. Applicants may apply for costs for travels, accommodation, transports, fieldwork equipment and consumables, as well as allowances for field assistants, lab works, or own living expenses, publications and a scientific workshop / colloquium. Costs should be outlined along with a project timeline in a detailed budget plan submitted with the project description and objectives.
The methodological approach for the planned research project can be chosen freely within the context of human evolution in Southeast-Asia. The project should contribute to the Senckenberg research programme on Biocultural Evolution. Applicants must demonstrate a very good command of English.
Your (academic) profile
Location:
Type of contract:
Benefits:
Your home institution, and temporarily the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Frankfurt
For the duration of the project affiliation with Senckenberg Society for Nature Research. Project Funding for 24 months / or: period from 01.01.2026 – 31.12.2027.
The Research Fund comprises of € 75.000 per year, for two years, with a possible extension for an additional third year (pending on report output review). It may include travel, fieldwork and labwork expenses, allowances (up to € 2.500 per month) and budget for a project related research colloquium or workshop in Southeast-Asia or in Germany.
Senckenberg is committed to diversity. We benefit from the different expertise, perspectives and personalities of our staff and welcome every application from qualified candidates, irrespective of age, gender, ethnic or cultural origin, religion and ideology, sexual orientation and identity or disability. Applicants with a severe disability will be given special consideration in case of equal suitability. Senckenberg actively supports the compatibility of work and family and places great emphasis on an equal and inclusive work culture.
Are you interested?
We look forward to your application documents (in English language) mentioning the reference
number (ref. #01-25063) sent as a single PDF document until 30.11.2025 by e-mail only. Please include:
Curriculum Vitae
Letter of motivation for your application for the Southeast-Asia Biocultural Evolution Fund 2026 - 2027
Academic transcripts, grades and certification (e.g. Bachelor, Master, Diploma, PhD)
Brief description of your current activities (studies or professional activities)
Max. three-page outline of your planned research project, including detailed budget plan
Letter of support (e.g. from a faculty member, supervisor or employer). This letter should be also written in English.
Applicants must demonstrate good language skills in English, e.g. in form of a certificate from a language test or language course.
Please send your application to:
Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung Senckenberganlage 25
60325 Frankfurt am Main
E-Mail: recruiting@senckenberg.de
For more information on the Research Fund, please contact: Prof. Dr. Ottmar Kullmer via e-mail: ottmar.kullmer@senckenberg.de.
For data protection information on the processing of personal data as part of the application and selection process, please refer to the privacy policy on our homepage at www.senckenberg.de/en/imprint/
Für internationale Stellenausschreibungen in der Paläontologie, besuchen Sie auch The PaleoNet Pages.
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Paläontologische Gesellschaft e.V.
Tel: +49 157 806 706 78
Email: info@palges.de
Internet: www.palges.de