Postdoc in Soil Microbial Ecology and Molecular Soil Ecology at University of Hohenheim University of Hohenheim in Germany

University of Hohenheim is advertising a three-year postdoctoral position in the Department of Soil Biology / Soil Microbial Ecology (E13 TV-L, 100%). The post is hosted by Prof. Dr. Tessa Camenzind and is designed for a researcher who can help establish a new research direction in the lab while supporting ongoing work in molecular soil ecology, fungal ecology, and soil biogeochemical processes.

The research environment is centered on the role of fungi in soil carbon cycling, including the functional translation of soil fungal community data, life-history strategies, community ecology, and modern molecular soil analyses. The position also mentions big data work with global fungal trait and genome databases, as well as topics such as fungal necromass and its significance for soil carbon cycling. The successful candidate is expected to contribute independently and help shape analytical and bioinformatics standards in the lab.

Key responsibilities include independent project design and execution, establishing workflows for high-throughput sequencing and preferably metagenomics and genome analyses, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at international conferences, mentoring students, and contributing to future grant applications. The post offers an open, friendly, and collaborative research setting with strong links to other departments and the TERRA and GreenRobust clusters.

Required background includes a Master’s/Diploma in biology, soil ecology, microbiology, or a comparable field, plus a completed PhD in a related discipline. Applicants should have strong expertise in soil biology and microbiology, a solid ecological understanding of soil biogeochemical processes, excellent statistics and R skills, first-author publication experience, and fluent English. The position is partly financed by the Female Professors Programme, and applications from women are explicitly encouraged.

The application deadline is 27 April 2026. Applicants must submit a single PDF with a motivation letter, short research agenda, two professional references, one recent publication, CV, and certificates through the university’s online portal.