Research Associate (Postdoc) – Ecophysiology of non-vascular vegetation § 28 Subsection 2 HmbHG
InstitutionFaculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Institute of Plant Sciences and Microbiology
Salary level
Start date01.10.2025, The initial fixed term is three years. The contract provides for a maximum extension of up to three years depending on the associate’s achievements during the first stage. Providing that a position is available and that requirements have been fulfilled, the associate may apply for temporary civil servant status in accordance with Section 28 subsection 2 HmbHG.
Application deadline08.08.2025
Scope of workfull-time position suitable for part-time
Your responsibilities
Duties include teaching and research in the respective department or institute. Research associates may also pursue independent research and further academic qualifications as well as acquire teaching experience. These duties are intended to promote academic achievement. Therefore, at least one-third of set working hours will be made available for the associate’s own academic work.
The research associate will examine key physiological and ecological processes that determine the response of non-vascular vegetation to climate change. These include limiting factors of acclimation, and controls on dispersal and establishment. Non-vascular vegetation, such as mosses and lichens, are key for ecosystem functioning in many regions of the world, but the organisms are seldom represented in process-based based dynamic vegetation models (DGMVs) that are used for prediction of future vegetation patterns and functions at global scale. In particular, processes that may limit range shifts under climate change, such as dispersal and establishment, or mechanisms of acclimation to altered climate at the individual level, are missing in DGVMs.
The research associate will carry out fundamental work on the mechanisms behind these potentially limiting processes and their impacts on future distribution patterns of mosses and lichens. Based on a combination of advanced laboratory experiments on non-vascular ecophysiology and small-scale field experiments, the research will inform the next generation of DGVMs that represent mosses and lichens and their impacts on the Earth system.
Required teaching associated with this position amounts to 4,0 LVS (course hours per week) in the first three years.
Your profile
A university degree in a relevant field plus doctorate, (relevant fields such as Ecology, Biology, Biogeochemistry).
The successful candidate needs to have advanced knowledge and experience in at least two of the following research disciplines: Ecology, ecophysiology, environmental statistics, biogeochemistry and global change biology. Advanced and proven skills in experimental research on non-vascular vegetation and scientific writing are required, and also very good oral and written English skills. Further assets are team spirit, high motivation, independent thinking and working and basic knowledge with regard to numerical modeling, in particular integration of partial differential equations, and Unix-like operating systems and associated software.
We offer
1. Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements
2. Continuing education opportunities
3. University pensions
4. Attractive location
5. Flexible working hours
6. Work-life balance opportunities
7. Health management, EGYM Wellpass
8. Educational leave
9. 30 days of vacation per annum
Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.
The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.
Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.