Fully Funded PhD Scholarship: Forest Economics and Sustainable Land-use Planning – University of Göttingen – Germany
About the University of Göttingen
Applications are open for a PhD Forest Economics Germany position at the University of Göttingen. The DFG-funded project investigates how beta-diversity can improve forest resilience, biodiversity outcomes, and economic performance. The University of Göttingen is a prestigious research university in Germany, with a strong reputation in forest sciences. The Faculty of Forest Sciences offers an interdisciplinary research environment at the intersection of ecology, economics, and environmental modelling. This DFG-funded project is part of the collaborative research unit FOR 5375 – Beta-FOR: Enhancing Structural Diversity in Production Forests, involving 12 research institutions across Germany and international partners.
Scholarship Overview
Project Description
The selected candidate will contribute to the DFG-funded project “Managing for beta-diversity to increase landscape-scale resilience of ecosystem services and economic outcomes.” This research is embedded in the collaborative research unit FOR 5375 – Beta-FOR: Enhancing Structural Diversity in Production Forests.
The project investigates how beta-diversity – the variation between ecosystems – can improve forest resilience, biodiversity outcomes, and economic performance of forest landscapes. You will work with advanced tools such as the iLand forest landscape simulation model, combining economic optimization with ecological modelling. The research is conducted in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich, particularly the Ecosystem Dynamics and Forest Management Group.
Why This Scholarship Stands Out
This PhD is unique because it sits at the intersection of forest ecology, economics, and simulation modelling. Unlike conventional forestry PhDs focused on traditional silviculture, this project uses the iLand forest landscape simulation model to explore how managing for beta-diversity can improve both ecological and economic outcomes. The position is part of FOR 5375, a large collaborative research unit involving 12 institutions across Germany, providing access to a network of leading forest scientists, ecologists, and economists. For a student interested in how forest landscapes can be managed for both biodiversity and profitability, this is an opportunity to work with cutting-edge simulation tools and contribute to climate resilience research.
Key Responsibilities
- Analyze the economic and ecological impacts of beta-diversity
- Develop and run forest economic simulations and optimization models
- Study spatial and temporal forest management strategies
- Contribute to improving resilience against environmental disturbances
- Collaborate across institutions and disciplines
Candidate Profile and Eligibility
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Master’s degree in Forestry, Environmental Economics, Environmental Modelling, or closely related fields |
| Academic Performance | Minimum “good” grade |
| Experience | Forest economics and/or simulation; programming tools such as R or similar |
| Language | Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English (mandatory) |
Preferred Skills:
- Knowledge of German forest management systems
- Familiarity with classical forest valuation methods
- Basic German language skills (for field interaction)
My Application Strategy
- Highlight your experience with forest economics or simulation modelling – Experience with iLand, R, or similar tools is highly valuable
- Emphasize quantitative skills – Economic optimization, spatial analysis, or ecological modelling experience
- Show interest in beta-diversity and resilience – Understanding of landscape-scale biodiversity concepts
- Demonstrate interdisciplinary background – The project combines ecology, economics, and modelling
- Learn basic German if possible – While English is mandatory, basic German is preferred for field interaction
What They Offer
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Salary | TV-L E13 (65%) – German public service scale |
| Duration | 3.5 years |
| Start Date | October 1, 2026 |
| Location | Göttingen, Germany |
| Research Network | FOR 5375 (12 research institutions across Germany) |
| Collaboration | Technical University of Munich |
| Work-life Balance | Part-time possible, inclusive environment |
Who Should Apply
This PhD is perfect for a student with a background in forest economics, environmental modelling, or forestry who wants to work at the interface of ecology and economics. If you are interested in how forest landscapes can be managed for both biodiversity and timber production, and want to develop skills in landscape simulation modelling (iLand) and economic optimization, this project offers training across both disciplines. Candidates with experience in R or similar programming tools are especially encouraged. The ideal candidate is someone who wants to contribute to climate-resilient forest management strategies.e.
How to Apply
Submit your application as a single PDF document to felap@uni-goettingen.de
Required documents:
- Motivation letter
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts and certificates
Application deadline: May 31, 2026
For academic inquiries, contact: Carola Paul – carola.paul@uni-goettingen.de, Phone: +49 551 39 26762k
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