Christiane Zarfl

The Cluster of Excellence TERRA, hosted by the University of Tübingen in collaboration with the University of Hohenheim and the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research, is offering 15 doctoral positions and select postdoctoral opportunities in the field of environmental sciences. The TERRA initiative focuses on 'Terrestrial Geo-Biosphere Interactions in a Changing World,' integrating research across geosciences, biology, computer science, and environmental chemistry. Projects span topics such as geosphere-biosphere interactions, plant genetic diversity, hydrology, soil nutrients, greenhouse gas emissions, alpine peatlands, hydroclimate, biodiversity dynamics, paleontology, and the impact of invasive species on riverbank erosion. Each position is supervised by leading academics from the participating institutions, with research themes including evolutionary biology, population genetics, biogeochemistry, hydrology, microbiology, environmental chemistry, geology, mineralogy, paleontology, and environmental modeling. Candidates are expected to have a relevant MSc degree, strong interest in biodiversity and environmental research, and skills in fieldwork, bioinformatics, statistics, GIS, or modeling. The positions are fully funded according to German public sector salary scales (E 13 TV-L, 65–75% for doctoral researchers, up to 100% for postdocs), with contracts running from April 2026 to September 2029. Applicants should review the full project descriptions and application instructions on the official TERRA Cluster website (uni-tuebingen.de/en/285483) and contact the listed supervisors for project-specific queries. The research environment offers interdisciplinary collaboration, access to advanced facilities, and opportunities for fieldwork in locations such as South Africa and Germany. English proficiency and a strong academic record are required. The application deadline is April 1, 2026.