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 position in the U4 “Animal Ecology” department within the framework of the project “Analysis of population development, habitat use and potential threats to the grayling (Thymallus thymallus) in Rhineland-Palatinate” from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2029.

Research Assistant (University Diploma/Master’s Degree) (m/f/d)

Specialization: Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Environmental Sciences

The place of work is Koblenz.
Reference code for the job posting: 20261807_0002

This research project aims to investigate the conditions necessary for maintaining viable grayling populations. To this end, fish stocks will be surveyed, grayling refuge and overwintering habitats will be examined, and the small- and medium-scale migratory movements of adult grayling will be recorded. Within this project, you will conduct fieldwork in cooperation with colleagues from the department (fishing surveys, telemetry, habitat mapping), analyze the collected data, and derive recommendations for the conservation of European grayling. The position offers exciting scientific tasks in a highly topical, application-oriented research field. The excellent infrastructure within an established research group provides you with an ideal research environment.

Application deadline: November 11, 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.

• Surveys of grayling populations and habitat use using electrofishing and active telemetry
• Recording of habitat structures and environmental conditions
• Derivation of important mortality factors and recommendations for species conservation
• Statistical analysis of complex datasets using multivariate methods
• Preparation of scientific publications (peer-reviewed) and research reports in English
• Presentation of results at scientific conferences and specialist events
• Writing a dissertation is desirable.

Your profile

You should definitely bring the following:

• Completed university degree (university diploma/Master’s) in biology, aquatic ecology or environmental sciences or comparable qualification

This is what sets you apart:

• Motivation for scientific work with the goal of writing a dissertation
• Sound expertise in the field of aquatic ecology
• Knowledge of fisheries biology
• Experience in carrying out fieldwork and handling fish
• Knowledge of statistical data analysis using R
• Excellent English skills and basic German skills, both spoken and written.
• Willingness to undertake multi-day business trips and to take samples from bodies of water
• Driver’s license

We offer you this

Remuneration is based on the TVöD pay scale, group E 13. In addition, we offer supplementary benefits in accordance with the TVöD-Bund (Federal Collective Agreement for Public Service Employees). You will receive onboarding from a highly qualified team as well as needs-based professional development and continuing education.

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 19.5 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. Only 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 11, 2026 via the Electronic Application Procedure (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 20261807_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/Master’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). For personnel-related information, please contact personalgewinnung@bafg.de.