Scientist (m/f/d) to further develop the ISRaD Radiocarbon database

Scientist (m/f/d) to further develop the ISRaD Radiocarbon database
Scientist
Jena
Microbiology & Ecology
Earth Sciences and Climate Research
Job Code: 13/2026
Job Offer from November 12, 2026
The Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry (MPI-BGC) in Jena is dedicated to interdisciplinary fundamental research in the field of Earth system sciences with a focus on climate and ecosystems. The internationally renowned institute, which currently employs around 250 people, celebrated its 25 th anniversary in 2022. Jena is known for its high-tech industry, internationally renowned research institutions and a modern university, but it also has a beautiful natural setting in the green Saale valley with steep limestone slopes. The city of Jena has an active student scene and a diverse cultural life. We are looking for a Scientist to further develop the ISRaD Radiocarbon database (m/f/d) full-time for 1 year.
Background and position description
The Department of Biogeochemical Processes in the MPI for Biogeochemistry seeks a Scientist (m/f/d) to support efforts to maintain, improve and expand the community-driven International
Soil Radiocarbon database
(ISRaD). We seek a candidate with sufficient knowledge of radiocarbon nomenclature and its applications to carbon cycling in vegetation and soils to extract information from existing literature and to consult with researchers to preserve previously unpublished datasets. Candidates should have sufficient knowledge of R (or other) programming languages, Markdown authoring, and database management to assist with further development of ISRaD in ways that can streamline data entry and increase its use within the radiocarbon community. The successful candidate(s) will work with the ISRaD community to build useful products for synthesis of available data.
The Department of Biogeochemical Processes has supported the past development of ISRaD and seeks to use this one-year opportunity to further develop the database to preserve and use information on measurements of radiocarbon in soils and other sources of respiration from terrestrial ecosystems.

Your tasks

Continue development of the ISRaD database through addition of new data, correction of errors
Implementing further developments to the database in close consultation with the ISRaD Steering Committee – for example, streamlining data input for users or adding new features to facilitate use of existing data
Updating the ISRaD R package
Improving the ISRaD website, including co-developing tutorials on interpretation of radiocarbon data in the context of carbon dynamics

Your profile

Doctoral degree in natural sciences (e.g. geochemistry, geo-ecology, soil science, environmental physics)
Experience in radiocarbon nomenclature and interpretation of 14C data
Experience with R (or other) programming language for updating R packages
Ability to work independently as well as part of a larger team
Very good written and spoken English is essential
Knowledge of Git, bash scripting, and website deployment is a plus
Our offer
This is a full-time position to be filled by 01 March 2027, with funding guaranteed for a duration of 12 months. Part-time work is generally possible. The position will be evaluated and graded following the collective agreement according to TVöD Bund; in addition, we will provide a pension plan based on the public service (VBL). The Max Planck Society (MPS) strives for gender equality and diversity. The MPS aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented. Women are therefore explicitly encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from all fields. The Max Planck Society has set itself the goal of employing more severely disabled people. Applications from severely disabled persons are expressly encouraged.
Your application
Are you interested? Please send us your application with cover letter, curriculum vitae as well as names and contact information of two references summarised in a PDF file (max. 10 MB) by
November 26, 2026
, quoting the reference number
13/2026
. by e-mail to bewerbung@bgc-jena.mpg.de or to the
Max-Planck-Institut für Biogeochemie
Personalbüro: Kennwort “Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter ISRaD”
Hans-Knöll-Straße 10
07745 Jena
Germany
We ask that you do not use application folders, but only submit copies, as your documents will be destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations after the application process has been completed. We look forward to receiving your application!