PhD and Postdoc Positions in Forest Ecology, VPD Impacts, and Earth-System Modeling University of Bern in Switzerland

Fabian Bernhard and the GECO group in Bern are advertising two research openings focused on forest responses to rising vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and related environmental change, with the goal of advancing the next generation of Earth-system models.

The positions are based in Bern and are centered on the BiomeEP vegetation demography model. The PhD project (4 years) will use BiomeEP together with a diversity of ecosystem data to study how forest growth and mortality respond to rising VPD and other environmental changes. The postdoctoral project (3.5 years) will develop a hydraulics-explicit representation of photosynthesis, transpiration, and acclimation within BiomeEP, and will explore eco-evolutionary optimality principles for simulating tree hydraulic and architectural trait acclimation.

These openings are especially relevant for candidates interested in forest ecology, environmental science, Earth-system modeling, plant hydraulics, ecosystem data analysis, and trait-based modeling. The post does not mention a scholarship; it advertises research employment positions. No stipend amount, tuition waiver, or other financial details are provided.

Application deadline: August 1, 2026. Interested applicants should consult the linked PhD and postdoc pages for full details and application instructions.