We are living in a historic moment for conservation, restoration and sustainable use of biological diversity. In December 2022, the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in Montreal, Canada agreed on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which will guide global and national conservation and sustainability efforts over the next decade. The fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of biodiversity, including benefits from the use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI), is a central pillar of the GBF. Over the next several years, there will be significant policy developments and debate about how to share benefits from DSI. DSI is both essential to support food security, biodiversity and conservation research, and public health, but is also used for biotech R&D and commercialization. Evidence- and science-based policy proposals are needed to help policymakers design a new system to share benefits fairly and equitably.
The policy process around DSI benefit-sharing goes beyond the GBF and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. It extends to several UN fora, including the International Plant Treaty for Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (FAO-IPTGRFA), Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), etc. The senior science policy officer will work closely with the DSI Scientific Network (https://www.dsiscientificnetwork.org/) to bring scientific perspectives and develop empirical research needed at the intersection of science and policy in these various fora. In addition to work on DSI, the senior policy officer will also take a leadership role in the Germany Nagoya Protocol Hub (https://www.nagoyaprotocol-hub.de/) and engage in the broader topic of access and benefit-sharing, the Nagoya Protocol, and quantitative indicators benefit-sharing.
What we need from you:
What you bring to the team:
We offer:
The Leibniz Institute DSMZ (www.dsmz.de) is an internationally-renowned biological resource center and research infrastructure with one of the most diverse microbial collections worldwide. DSMZ functions as both a service provider and research partner for academia and industry with around 200 employees. The DSMZ is funded by the State of Lower Saxony and the German Federal government and is a member of the Leibniz Association. The institutes of the Leibniz Association strive to increase the proportion of female scientists and encourage female candidates to apply. Disabled applicants with identical technical and personal qualifications will be preferentially selected. The DSMZ is an equal opportunity employer and supports balanced work-life career development and holds the certificate of the audit berufundfamilie®.
Expected Start: As soon as possible
Contract length: 5 years
Work hours: 100% (maximum 39.8 hours); job sharing is not available.
Salary: according to public sector scale E13 TV-L
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis so early applicants are encouraged! Complete applications should be sent by e-mail with application number 09/23 to bewerbung@dsmz.de. Any questions regarding the position can be addressed to Dr. Amber Scholz (amber.scholz@dsmz.de). Application deadline is April 11, 2023.
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