🎓Fully Funded PhD Scholarship: Arctic Plant Ecology – Germany
🏥 About Leibniz University Hannover
Applications are open for a Fully Funded PhD Arctic Plant Ecology Germany position at Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Earth System Sciences. This PhD project is part of the research initiative “Nuolja muorji observatory: drivers of Arctic wild berry yield and quality under climate and land-use change”. Nestled in a modern city surrounded by nature and with an exceptional standard of living, Leibniz University Hannover offers excellent working conditions in a vibrant scientific community. The Institute of Earth System Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, in the Department of Vegetation Ecology, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, welcomes applications for a PhD position in Plant Ecology / Arctic Ecology.
Location: Hannover, Germany (with fieldwork in Abisko, northern Sweden)
Salary: TV-L 13, 65%
Duration: 36 months (with possibility of extension)
🎯 Scholarship Overview
đź”— Project Overview
Arctic ecosystems are undergoing rapid environmental change, yet we still lack a mechanistic understanding of how these changes affect wild plant foods. This Fully Funded PhD Arctic Plant Ecology Germany project focuses on Arctic wild berries, which are key resources for wildlife, northern Indigenous communities, and emerging regional markets, and aims to understand how climate and land-use change influence their productivity and nutritional quality.
The field part of the project is the Abisko research area in northern Sweden and builds on a unique long-term ecological monitoring infrastructure integrating vegetation dynamics, phenology, microclimate, and biotic interactions along elevational gradients.
Focal species include: Vaccinium, Empetrum, and Rubus chamaemorus
đź“‹ Your Role
- Conduct an independent PhD project within the framework of Arctic plant ecology
- Develop and implement standardized monitoring protocols (phenology, reproduction, yield, functional traits)
- Analyse impacts of environmental drivers (microclimate, snow, soil) and biotic interactions (pollination, herbivory) on plant growth and reproduction
- Contribute to building a long-term biological sample archive and integrate biochemical analyses (e.g., sugars, nitrogen, polyphenols)
- Apply advanced statistical methods and modelling approaches (e.g., in R)
- Publish results in leading international journals and present at conferences
- Participation in teaching (3 teaching hours per week, e.g., assisting in plant identification courses and field excursions)
- Support in supervising students
âś… Qualifications
Required
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, or related field |
| Background | Strong background in plant ecology and/or functional ecology |
| Statistical Skills | Solid skills in statistical data analysis (preferably R or Python) |
| Language | Excellent command of English (written and spoken) |
| Fieldwork | Motivation for fieldwork in remote Arctic environments |
Desirable
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Experience | Trait-based, phenological, or population-level studies |
| Writing | Experience with scientific writing and publication |
| Data Skills | Familiarity with long-term ecological data or monitoring approaches |
| Spatial Analysis | Skills in GIS or remote sensing |
| Collaboration | Ability to work both independently and collaboratively |
🔬 What They Offer
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Salary | TV-L 13, 65% |
| Duration | 36 months with possibility of extension |
| Location | Hannover, Germany (fieldwork in Abisko, Sweden) |
| Environment | Vibrant interdisciplinary and international working environment |
| Development | Personal and professional development (subject-related skills, leadership, languages) |
| Mobile Work | Can be arranged upon request |
| Family Support | Back-up childcare, childcare during school holidays, parent-child offices, individual advice |
| Health & Wellness | Extensive sports programme (100+ sports), fitness centre with sauna and climbing space, health management courses (stress management, nutrition, relaxation) |
🌍 Equal Opportunities
Equal opportunities and diversity are core values at Leibniz University Hannover. We welcome applications from anyone interested in the position, irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or ideology, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.
We strive towards a balanced and diverse workforce and a reduction in under-representation. Preference will be given to equally-qualified candidates with disabilities.
👨‍🏫 Contact Information
Prof. Dr. Sergey Rosbakh
đź“ž +49 511 762-3631
📧 rosbakh@geobotanik.uni-hannover.de
đź“ť How to Apply
Send Required Documents (as a single PDF file named: YourName_MuorjiPhD) via email:
- Motivation letter
- CV
- Certificates
📧 Email: apply@geobotanik.uni-hannover.de
📬 Post (alternative):
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover
Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät
Institut fĂĽr Erdsystemswissenschaften
Abteilung „Vegetation Ecology, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics“ („Geobotanik“)
Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hannover
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