Curator / Researcher (m/f/d) in Ichthyology

The State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart (SMNS) is one of the largest and most popular natural history museums in Germany. As a modern research museum, we see ourselves as a bridge between science and society, offering a vibrant platform for dialogue and exchange. Innovation arises where cutting-edge research meets our unique collection and creative outreach. We are passionately committed to the conservation of biodiversity. Our aim is to preserve the foundations of life and thus help shape a positive future.

Our motto, ‘On A Mission For Diversity’, shapes the work of our 190 staff members from all over the world. We value diverse talents and perspectives, foster team spirit and place great importance on a positive and supportive working environment.

We are seeking to fill a position as soon as possible:

Curator / Researcher (m/f/d) in Ichthyology

Permanent, full-time (80–100%), joint applications also welcome

Remuneration in accordance with TV-L E13

Applications accepted until 17/05/2026

The zoological collections of the SMNS have a global focus and are of great historical and international significance. The SMNS’s fish collection comprises around 200,000 specimens, primarily of marine origin – including 520 vessels containing type specimens.

Join our team!

You have experience in the scientific curation of fish collections and a very good knowledge of fish systematics. You are committed to significant scientific research at regional and global levels – and you see potential links to existing research programmes at the SMNS.

You are a solution-oriented team player who communicates in an appreciative and cooperative manner. With your commitment and ideas, you will help shape the future of our museum.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Curating the fish collection in accordance with international standards
• Leading an outstanding, collection-based research programme on fish
• Developing collaborative and interdisciplinary, hypothesis-driven research projects, e.g. on comparative morphology or genomics, biogeography, landscape genetics or ecological interactions
• Acquiring competitive third-party funding for research
• Regular publications in internationally renowned journals
• Communication with the public and the media
• Scientific conception of exhibitions

You have the following skills and knowledge:

• A PhD in biology or a related field
• Comprehensive knowledge of fish biology and the curation of fish collections
• An outstanding publication record
• Expertise and research experience in the fields of taxonomy, systematics, phylogeny, evolution, biogeography and ecology
• A track record in securing external research funding
• A track record of successful international scientific collaborations
• Experience in science communication
• Very good written and spoken English
• Basic knowledge of German or the willingness to learn German

In addition, we would like to see some of the following skills:

• A research programme with opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration with existing SMNS projects, ideally including freshwater ecosystems
• State-of-the-art morphological methods for the identification and description of fish taxa
• Molecular genetic methods, including bioinformatic analyses
• University teaching and student supervision

Here are the benefits we offer:

• Generous core hours and flexitime arrangements, as well as the option to work remotely
• Technical assistance related to this curator position
• Well-equipped laboratory infrastructure: molecular laboratories, suitable for next-generation sequencing and DNA extraction from historical samples, as well as laboratories for histology and digital morphology (micro-CT, SEM and microphotography)
• Extensive modern biological and palaeontological collections as research resources
• Core funding for research and conference travel
• Participation in established research projects at the SMNS
• An active network in collaboration with the University of Hohenheim via the jointly run Competence Centre for Biodiversity and Integrative Taxonomy (KomBioTa)
• Supervision of PhD students and Master’s/Bachelor’s candidates
• Family-friendly working conditions
• Support with acquiring German language skills, if required

Please submit your application in a single PDF file containing:

• A cover letter and CV outlining your motivation
• The names and contact details of three referees
• Copies of relevant certificates
• A list of publications and external funding secured
• An outline of a specific research programme at the museum, maximum two pages at curator-zoology@smns-bw.de

Applications are welcome in both German and English. We strongly encourage women to apply. Diversity and inclusion are central to our values: applications from people with severe disabilities will be given priority where candidates are equally qualified. Since 2019, we hold the ‘audit berufundfamilie’ certificate and offer working conditions that are demonstrably family- and life-stage-friendly.

Would you like more information? PD Dr Stefan Merker will be happy to assist you. You can reach him on +49-711/8936-246, or by email at: stefan.merker@smns-bw.de.

Data protection information for applicants can be found on our website under ‘Jobs’.