Academic employee as doctoral/PhD candidate (m/f/d)

At the Professorship for Ecosystem Resilience (Prof. Sebastian Seibold), we study processes which drive biodiversity and ecosystem processes in forests. The open position is suitable to conduct a PhD and aims at addressing the question how climate at different scales affects insect communities in deadwood and wood decomposition rates. Within the framework of the Biodiversity Exploratories Research Platform, a new long-term experiment was estalished in three climatically different regions of Germany (Schwäbische Alb, Hanich, Schorfheide) manipulating microclimate in deadwood e.g. using rain-out shelters. More detailed information can be found here.

Severely disabled applicants with equal aptitude will be given preferential consideration.

Your profile:

Master's degree in biology, forest science or a related discipline
Practical experience in field ecology
Ability and readiness to conduct multi-day field work
Advanced knowledge of statistics and confident use of the programming
language R
Basic knowledge of arthropod taxonomy
Driver´s license category B valid in Germany for the entire duration of the project
Very good knowledge of English, both written and spoken

Your responsibilities:

Taking wood samples to measure wood decomposition rates
Planning and conducting of insect sampling
Sorting insect samples to order level in preparation for taxonomic identification by external experts
Statistical analysis of the collected data and data management
Writing and publishing scientific papers
Presentation of research results at scientific conferences and workshops
Supervision of student assistants and Bachelor/Master students

We offer:

Opportunity to conduct a doctoral thesis on an exciting and highly relevant research topic
Excellent networking opportunities within the framework of the Biodiversity Exploratories
Multidisciplinary work environment
International team with ample opportunities for scientific exchange

The university and what we offer:
www.uni-ulm.de/en/einrichtungen/zuv/dezernat-3/job-portal

Seize the opportunity and join us in shaping the future of the University!

> Referenz-no.:

26002

> Application deadline:

04.02.2026

Hiring is done by the Central University Administration.

Your contact for further information:
Mrs Kerstin Karrasch, phone +49 731 50-22661

We look forward to your application via our online application portal.