Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen
The Geology, Isotope Geochemistry and Terrestrial Palaeoclimatology Groups at the University of Tübingen seek to fill a PhD position to start at 1.4.2026 until 30.9.2029 (maximum three and a half years). Salary will follow the German public service scale TV-L E13 at 75%.
This PhD position is embedded in the newly funded Cluster of Excellence TERRA - "Terrestrial Geo-Biosphere Interactions in a Changing World." TERRA brings together an interdisciplinary team of geoscientists, biologists, and computer scientists from the Universities of Tübingen and Hohenheim, as well as the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research in Frankfurt, fostering a collaborative and international research environment.
The project aims to unravel paleoenvironmental conditions and their relationship to observed biodiversity at the Hammerschmiede site ( Hammerschmiede Excavation ). This will be achieved through the analysis of diverse, multi-temporal sedimentological archives spanning different spatial and temporal scales. The responsibilities of the successful candidate will be to conduct kyr-scale sedimentary provenance analyses of the Hammerschmiede site using a range of proxies, including geo- and thermochronological approaches. In addition, the candidate will perform annual-resolution paleoenvironmental reconstructions based on sclerochronological analyses of Margaritifera flabellata, complemented by geochemical proxies such as elemental and isotope ratios.This position offers the opportunity to work at the interface of Earth and Life Sciences, contributing to a deeper understanding of long-term geo-biosphere interactions in a changing world.
Applicants must hold a Master's Degree or equivalent in Geosciences/Geology and provide an excellent understanding of Geochemistry, Sedimentology or Palaeoclimatology. Experience in (isotope-) geochemical laboratory work and experience with ICP-MS analyses is regarded beneficiary for this ambitious project. Fluency in both spoken and written English is a prerequisite for communication within our international working groups and the publication of results in international journals. Knowledge of German is appreciated, but not a requirement.
The University of Tübingen wishes to enhance the share of employed women in research and teaching. Individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply and, having the same occupational aptitude, will be preferred. The employment will be handled by the central administration of the University of Tübingen.
Applications should include a letter of motivation, a CV, scans of academic transcripts, and contact details of two potential academic referees. Applications should be submitted electronically no later than the 1 st of March 2026 and addressed to PD Dr. Christoph Glotzbach - christoph.glotzbach@uni-tuebingen.de .