Waterways are complex aquatic systems. The Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), located within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV), contributes to their sustainable and efficient management. As the federal government’s scientific institute for research, assessment, and consulting in the fields of hydrology, water use, water quality, ecology, and water protection, it advises the BMV, other federal ministries, the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV), and third parties. The BfG employs dedicated individuals from many disciplines working in a modern, well-equipped environment.
The Federal Institute of Hydrology is part of a 357,582 km² career network comprising over 40 agencies with approximately 24,000 employees. Learn more atwww.damit-alles-läuft.de.
The Federal Institute of Hydrology is seeking to fill a part-time position (9 hours/week) in the U4 “Animal Ecology” department as soon as possible, with a fixed-term contract until December 31, 2028.
Working student (m/f/d)
Specialization in biology, bio-geosciences, hydrology and water management or similar field
The place of work is Koblenz. Reference code of the job posting: 20261703_0002. The Animal Ecology Department of the Federal Institute of Hydrology conducts extensive investigations on federal waterways as part of projects advising the Waterways and Shipping Administration, scientific studies, long-term monitoring, and success evaluations. We are seeking support for field sampling and the analysis and evaluation of samples in the laboratory. This position offers you exciting practical and scientific tasks within the framework of application-oriented environmental research. The excellent laboratory infrastructure of the Federal Institute of Hydrology and the diverse and open working group provide an ideal working environment.
Application deadline: November 3, 2026
Start of work: as soon as possible
working hours: Part-time
Type of contract: temporary
career: higher service
Applicant group: Salaried employees
workplace
Designation: Federal Institute of Hydrology
Location: Koblenz
Postal code: 56068
Federal State: Rhineland-Palatinate
We need you for this.
- Support for practical and organizational work in the laboratory and in the field as part of scientific investigations on federal waterways.
- Sampling of water, lakebed and algae
- Conducting laboratory analyses of algae and nutrient concentrations
- Support in carrying out more complex laboratory analyses (amino acids, genetic analyses, HPLC-based analyses)
- Support in the taxonomic evaluation of macrozoobenthos
- Image analysis as well as the creation and maintenance of databases
Your profile
You should definitely bring the following:
- Completed university degree (BA) in Biology, BioGeosciences, Hydrology and Water Management or similar field
- Enrollment at a German university for an advanced scientific Master’s degree program for the entire duration of employment.
This is what sets you apart:
- Experience in scientific working and evaluation methods of animal ecological laboratory or field studies, as well as aquatic ecological surveys
- Car driving licence class B
- Enjoyment of working in an interdisciplinary team
- Willingness to undertake multi-day business trips
- Conscientiousness, teamwork, flexibility, resilience
- Willingness to learn, ability to accept criticism
We offer you this
The remuneration corresponds to pay group E 9b according to TVöD.
Special notes
You can look forward to a well-equipped work environment with an innovative team, as well as interesting professional challenges. The standard weekly working time under the collective agreement is currently 9 hours.
We offer our employees flexible working hours, including part-time and flexitime options, to accommodate work-life balance. Under certain conditions, flexible working from different locations is possible based on a company agreement. A parent-child workspace is available for employees facing childcare emergencies. We actively promote employee health through a range of health initiatives. Initial and ongoing training and development are tailored to individual needs.
Applications from women are expressly encouraged. In cases of equal qualifications, women will be given preferential consideration in accordance with Section 8 of the Federal Equal Opportunities Act (BGleiG).
Severely disabled applicants will be given preference if they have the same professional qualifications. A minimum level of physical fitness is required.
We welcome applications from people of all nationalities.
If you have obtained a foreign educational qualification , please include proof of its recognition by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs with your application documents.
Selection will be made by a committee.
Do you feel addressed?
Then please apply by November 3, 2026 via the electronic application process (EBV) on the entry page.http://www.bav.bund.de/Einstieg-EBV
Please select only the option “Application via reference code” and enter the reference code 20261703_0002 during the application process . You can find the user documentation via the link above.
Please then upload your complete application documents (cover letter, CV, university diploma/Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcript, work references/evaluations, and school leaving certificate) as attachments to your candidate profile.
In addition, please enter your relevant academic qualifications under “Education/Qualifications” in your candidate profile and your employers for the last 5 years under “Professional Experience”
. For questions regarding the electronic application process, please contact the Federal Office for Administrative Services at +49 4941 602-240.
Contact persons
For technical information, please contact Prof. Dr. Winkelmann (Tel.: +49 261 1306 5944) or Ms. Paulmann (Tel.: +49 261 1306 5716). For personnel-related inquiries, please contact personalgewinnung@bafg.de.
