PhD position on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of Tropical Smallholder Agriculture
(TV-L 13, 65%, 4 years, University of Hohenheim)
Application deadline: 24.03.2025
The Ecology of Tropical Agricultural Systems group at the University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany (https://agroecology.uni-hohenheim.de) seeks a PhD student in the interdisciplinary project “BRIGHT-Futures: Bright Spots in Agriculture”. Preferred starting date is 1 June 2025, for a duration of four years. Salary and conditions are according to public service positions in Germany (TV-L E13, 65%).
The BRIGHT-Futures projects aims to identify sustainable agricultural systems, termed "Bright Spots." By analyzing secondary and empirical field data, BRIGHT-Futures will pinpoint regions and individual farms exhibiting outstanding economic, ecological, and social sustainability. Field studies in Kerala (India), Western Kenya, Oaxaca (Mexico) and Southern Germany shall uncover the success factors of these Bright Spots, such as agricultural practices, ecological conditions, and policy frameworks. The ecological investigations of this PhD position will be carried out in close coordination with the environmental and socio-economic studies of the project partners.
Your profile
We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist to join our group. Applicants must hold a MSc in ecology, biology, agriculture, or related disciplines. You should have good knowledge of ecological statistics (using R), good writing and communication skills, and be eager to work in a highly interdisciplinary project. Fluency in written and spoken English is expected. Entomological and/or ornithological knowledge, and GIS skills are advantageous. Willingness to travel for extended periods to tropical countries and rural settings, and a driving license class B (passenger car) are required for field work.
Your tasks
- Field studies of biodiversity (e.g., birds, bats, wild bees, crop pests and their antagonists) and ecosystem services (crop pollination, biological control) on farms in India and Kenya
- Analysis of collected and secondary data in close collaboration with project partners
- Organization and lead of group discussions with stakeholders
- Active interdisciplinary collaboration in the BRIGHT-Futures project
- Publication of research results in scientific journals and presentations at scientific conferences
Additional benefits
We offer a PhD opportunity in a topical research area of high societal relevance, in a dynamic international research group led by Prof. Dr. Ingo Grass. Using a broad methodological spectrum and interdisciplinary approaches, our group aims to better understand and forecast agroecosystems and biodiversity under global change (see https://agroecology.uni-hohenheim.de/en/home). The University of Hohenheim is located on a beautiful campus in the southern German city of Stuttgart, which offers a rich cultural life and attractive surroundings.
Application
Please apply via the University of Hohenheim job portal (link to portal) by 24.03.2025. Your application (in a single .pdf-file) should include a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, and a letter of motivation (1-2 pages) detailing why you want to do a PhD, your scientific experience, what you find interesting about the PhD project and which ideas you have for developing a research project on the topic. Please also include university and high school diplomas, a summary of your MSc thesis and, if available, letters of recommendation from previous supervisors. The University of Hohenheim seeks to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching and strongly encourages qualified female scientists to apply. With equal qualifications, preference will be given to candidates with disabilities.
For further information, please contact
Prof. Dr. Ingo Grass – email: ingo.grass@uni-hohenheim.de – phone: +49 771 459 22385
Homepage: https://agroecology.uni-hohenheim.de
