Studentische Hilfskraft/Student assistant (HiWi) Bestäuberinsekten/Insect pollinators

11.11.2025, Studentische Hilfskräfte, Praktikantenstellen, Studienarbeiten

Background:

Urbanization is a major driver of biodiversity change and can impact insect communities by fragmenting suitable habitat, limiting food or nesting resources, and adding stressors like heat or pollution. In the face of urban growth and declining pollinator populations, we aim to understand how urbanization impacts pollinators, and how this may be mitigated by locally implemented biodiversity measures.

Approach:

In community gardens across Munich and Berlin, we sample the pollinator community through observations with nets and traps set out for two days. In the laboratory, insects are identified and their traits, such as body size, measured, to assess abundance and diversity in each garden.

Tasks:

• Sorting insects into orders and identifying bees to the species or genus level
• Organizing and managing insect samples, preparing and pinning bees
• Measuring bee traits – e.g., body size, tongue length, etc.
• Potential for field work and insect sampling in Spring/Summer 2026 if interested

Time frame:

10-20 hours per week, depending on availability, can be flexibly distributed throughout the week. Start date between January and April 2026. Duration at least 6 months with possibility of extension – we are ideally looking for someone to join our team longer-term (~2 years), but this is not necessary.

Requirements:

• Interest in ecology, entomology, urbanization, and/or conservation; motivation to conduct lab work with insects
• Proficiency in English language, German skills beneficial
• Strong organization and attention to detail, independent and reliable working attitude, strong teamwork and collaboration
• Flexibility in working tasks
• Experience in insect/pollinator identification is an advantage but not needed – enthusiasm to learn is equally appreciated
• A driver’s license valid in Germany is beneficial

Kontakt: alex.zink@tum.de