PhD Positions in Environmental Economics, Climate Science, and Biodiversity at Leipzig University Leipzig University in Germany

Leipzig University is offering 14 fully funded PhD positions within the Research Training Group “Economics of Connected Natural Commons: Atmosphere and Biodiversity (ECO-N)”. These positions are designed for doctoral researchers eager to tackle pressing environmental challenges through interdisciplinary research in environmental economics, climate science, biodiversity, and related fields. The program covers a wide range of research areas, including urban air quality, forest ecosystems, regional climate, soil management, and aerosols & climate. Each project is supervised by leading academics from Leipzig University and partner institutions such as TROPOS and UFZ.

Key research topics include income inequality and the urban environment, vegetation impacts on air quality, resilience to air pollution, tree floras under climate change, household bioenergy and forest management, natural capital values, mixed-species forest modelling, extreme weather events, macroeconomic weather impacts, biodiversity-friendly soil policy, soil biodiversity solutions, aerosols and climate tipping points, aerosol climate damage, and financing carbon dioxide removal. Supervisors include Professors Melanie Krause, Ina Tegen, Bernd Süßmuth, Christian Wirth, Daniela Thrän, Martin Quaas, Nadja Rüger, Sebastian Sippel, Thomas Steger, Bartosz Bartkowski, Nico Eisenhauer, Thomas Bruckner, Johannes Quaas, and Gregor Weiß.

The positions are 3-year contracts (75% FTE) with competitive salaries according to TV-L Salary Group 13. The program starts in September 2026, and the application deadline is January 30, 2026. Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Economics, Meteorology, Biology, or a related field, strong quantitative skills, and fluency in English. Application materials include a cover letter (specifying project choice), transcripts, and a research paper sample. For more information and to apply, visit the ECO-N application portal. For questions, contact Maria Schnabel or Prof. Martin Quaas.

This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in environmental science, economics, biology, and earth science to join a vibrant research community at Leipzig University and contribute to solutions for global environmental challenges.