Phd student (m/f/d) in extinction risk modelling

With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.
The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig is a world-leading centre for biodiversity science and focuses on understanding biodiversity on our planet. Founded in 2012 with funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG), iDiv has since grown to over 300 employees and 170 members. iDiv is largely funded by the three central German states of Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Saxony. PhD student (m/f/d) in extinction risk modelling

We offer a 65% position (26 hours per week) on a fixed-term basis for 3 years. We integrate datasets and approaches from macroecology, macroevolution, biogeography, and palaeontology, and aim to understand how biodiversity is distributed across the world today, how it has originated and changed through geological history, and how we can predict future biodiversity patterns under global change.
The position is part of the project “ExChange: Assessing species extinction risk from climate change in the past, present, and future”, funded by the German Research Foundation DFG, which aims to enhance understanding of species’ extinction risk from climate change in large-bodied terrestrial mammals. As part of a dynamic and international team in Leipzig and in cooperation with project partners at the University of Potsdam (Prof. You develop trait-based macroecological research that models extinction of mammalian species in the fossil record and extinction risk in the present and future, based on the project proposal funded by the German Research Foundation DFG
You closely work with project partners who focus on the drivers of population decline and geographic range changes to assist in developing joint conceptual and modelling frameworks for extinction risk
You handle ecological databases with many species and their traits, utilizing computer code in the R computing environment to run statistical analyses and models, e.g. estimation of extinction rates in the fossil record, phylogenetic comparative methods
You conduct scientific work that qualifies you for a PhD degree in biology, including publications of scientific papers in international peer-reviewed journals
You present your research at national and international meetings and conferences
Advanced experience in a programming language (ideally R) and basic quantitative and statistical expertise (e.g. linear models, PCA); more advanced statistical experience will be of advantage, e.g. phylogenetic comparative models, fossil diversity analyses, extinction or diversification rates
Strong oral and written communication skills in English
An international, English-speaking research environment with regular integrative group activities and a collaborative, supportive atmosphere
~ The opportunity to participate in our targeted iDiv doctoral training program and the University of Jena graduate academy, which offer workshops, coaching, mentoring and networking events for PhD students
~ A modern, family-friendly working environment with attractive working conditions (flexible working hours, mobile work)
~ Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) up to salary scale E13 — depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications—, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement
~30 days of vacation per calendar year plus two days off on December 24 and 31

The advertised position is offered as a fixed-term position for a maximum of 3 years.
Then apply by 14.07.2026 using our online form. 2 pages), your CV, an abstract of your Master’s thesis (or equivalent degree), the contact details of two persons who are willing to act as a reference, and your relevant certificates. If you cannot supply a certificate for your Master (or equivalent) degree yet, please provide i) a letter from your supervisor indicating the date of thesis submission and the (probable) mark, ii) a current transcript of records from your university that shows your completed classes in your study program, and iii) your Bachelors certificate (or equivalent). Please note that we do not expect you to upload a photo in the online form.
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