The research group Pan at the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen is looking for a
 

Insect Husbandry Technician (f/m/d) 50%
 

Our international research group investigates how sex determination evolves across insects. We study the molecular and developmental mechanisms of sex determination across multiple species, with a focus on how new sex determination systems emerge and evolve. To address these questions, we work directly with live insect colonies and integrate high-throughput genomics and transcriptomics with functional and developmental approaches.

Your responsibilities

• Assist the team with establishing new insects as lab models
• Maintain insect colonies (ants, sawflies, parasitoid wasps or beetles) under controlled laboratory conditions
• Prepare, clean, and maintain artificial nests and rearing setups. Order and keep track of material.
• Prepare insect foods.
• Assist with controlled crosses, colony manipulations, and sample collection
• Keep accurate records of colony health, reproduction, and development. Ensure proper hygiene and biosecurity in insect rooms and rearing facilities
• Assist in training new students in handling and caring for live insect colonies
• Collaborate with the research team to coordinate experimental schedules and colony usage

Your profile

• Training as a biological technical assistant or equivalent experience in a laboratory or animal-rearing environment
• Experience working with living organisms is necessary; knowledge of insect biology is an advantage
• Reliable, well-organized, and able to work independently with a strong sense of responsibility
• Ability to follow established protocols and help optimize workflows when needed
• Strong communication skills and willingness to work collaboratively with students and researchers

Our offer

• An interesting and responsible job
• A fixed-term employment contract with remuneration according to TVöD Bund, including employer-financed company pension scheme
• Job ticket allowance
• Wide range of training and further education opportunities
• Company health management, including yoga courses and health days

The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer and committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

Your application

Candidates should submit their application documents (motivation letter, CV, certificates) in English through our job portal until March 20^th 2026.

For questions regarding the position, please contact the group leader, Dr. Miya Qiaowei Pan (qiaowei.pan@tuebingen.mpg.de). For questions regarding the job portal, please contact personal@vw.tuebingen.mpg.de.