The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig seeks to fill the follow position from 1 May 2025 or at the earliest opportunity thereafter.
Doctoral researcher (m/f/d/x)
Salary group
Term
Volume
Start date
The position is subject to possible budgetary restrictions and dependent upon final approval of funding.
Founded in 1409, Leipzig University is one of Germany’s largest universities and a leader in research and medical training. With around 30,000 students and more than 5000 members of staff across 14 faculties, it is at the heart of the vibrant and outward-looking city of Leipzig. Leipzig University offers an innovative and international working environment as well as an exciting range of career opportunities in research, teaching, knowledge and technology transfer, infrastructure and administration.
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 staff and 170 members. iDiv is largely funded by the three central German states of Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Saxony. Their three universities in Halle, Jena and Leipzig operate the research centre in cooperation with the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH (UFZ). More information about iDiv: www.idiv.de
Project description
The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig seeks a doctoral researcher (m/f/d/x) on the iDiv Flexpool project “HYPERSOIL – Links between fine-scale HYPERspectral image data and hotspot zones of microbial biomass and diversity in forest SOIL profiles under different site conditions”.
Forest soils have a highly diverse soil composition with a pronounced profile-related heterogeneity. Hotspot zones of increased microbial activity and coupled physico-chemical and structural properties respond to external (e.g. climatic) forcing and play a key role in the resilience of soil systems. The project will explore the full potential of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) using a HySpex scanner (400–2500 nm) applied to soil cores to monitor and characterise these hotspot zones and their dynamics. We will use HSI data and spectrotransfer functions incorporating soil information (e.g. bulk density, texture, water-holding capacity) and additional non-imaging spectral data to calibrate a range of key physical, chemical and biological properties (e.g. individual phospholipid fatty acids as molecular markers for microbial groups). In this respect, the project will contribute to the indirect monitoring of soil biodiversity, its complexity and change over space and time.
The project is supervised by Professor Michael Vohland (michael.vohland@uni-leipzig.de) and Professor Bruno Glaser (bruno.glaser@landw.uni-halle.de).
WHAT WE OFFER
- A highly dynamic, collaborative and interdisciplinary working environment
- Attractive fringe benefits including health insurance, pension plans, job tickets (public transport discounts)
- Flexible working hours and work-life balance
- Voluntary participation in our yDiv graduate school (courses, coaching, networking, etc.)
- Cutting-edge research in pedometrics
- The working language at iDiv is English
- iDiv is a highly international centre with staff from over 30 countries and various forms of support for staff from outside Germany (Welcome Centre, German classes, etc.)
- Leipzig is an attractive city with a rich culture and beautiful surroundings, where international visitors usually find it easy to settle in
DUTIES
- Planning, preparation and implementation of field campaigns (Fläming Heath and Dübener Heide as study areas)
- Acquisition, method development and analysis of HySpex scans of soil cores
- Laboratory work (e.g. PLFA analysis) after appropriate training; this part of the project will take place at the Martin Luther University in Halle
- Writing and publishing of scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals
- Presentation of results at national and international conferences
REQUIREMENTS
- Scientific degree (Diplom/MSc) in a project-related field (e.g. geography, geoinformatics, environmental sciences)
- Expertise and experience in hyperspectral image analysis
- Knowledge of molecular marker analysis
- In-depth knowledge of soil ecology
- Excellent English communication skills (oral and written)
- Excellent German skills (at least C1 level)
- Team player with interest and ability in interdisciplinary research
- Organisational skills
- Category B driving licence
Please send your application with the usual documents, quoting reference number 33/2025, via our application portal at https://apply.idiv.de by 2nd April 2025. Please note that it is not possible to guarantee confidentiality and rule out unauthorised access by third parties when communicating by unencrypted email. While we prefer applications via this portal, hard-copy applications may also be sent to: German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Scientific Networks, Puschstraße 4, 04103 Leipzig. We kindly request that you submit copies only, as we are unable to return application documents. Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.
Applications should include
- Cover letter describing your motivation for the project, research interests and relevant experience
- Name and contact details of at least one scientific referee
- Digital copies of bachelor’s and master’s certificates or approved recognised equivalents.
For questions about the application process, please contact our Scientific Networks team (flexpool@idiv.de); for project-related questions, please contact Professor Michael Vohland (michael.vohland@uni-leipzig.de).
Leipzig University aims to increase the proportion of women in positions of responsibility and therefore expressly invites qualified women to apply. Severely disabled persons – or persons deemed legally equal to them under Book IX of the German Social Code – are encouraged to apply and will be given preference in the case of equal suitability. If you have any questions about accessibility or need assistance with this application process, please contact Leipzig University’s disability officers at: schwerbehindertenvertretung@uni-leipzig.de
iDiv is committed to establishing and maintaining a diverse and inclusive community that collectively supports and implements our mission to do great science. We welcome, recruit, develop and advance talented staff from diverse genders and backgrounds.
Privacy information
If you choose to apply and send us your documents, you do so voluntarily. Any personal data contained within your application documents, or obtained during an interview, will be processed by Leipzig University – as the advertiser of the position – exclusively for the purposes of the selection process for the position advertised. It will not be passed on to third parties without your consent in the individual case. The legal basis for such data processing is Sect. 11(1) of the Saxon Data Protection Implementation Act (SächsDSDG) in conjunction with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The controller for the application process within the meaning of the GDPR is the addressee of the application, specified in the advertisement.
Your personal data will be stored for six months after the end of the recruitment process and then erased or destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations. You may refuse or withdraw your consent with effect for the future without giving reasons. In these cases, Leipzig University will not or no longer be able to process and consider your application. Under the GDPR, subject to the relevant statutory requirements you have the following rights vis-à-vis the addressee of the application with regard to your personal data: right of access (Art. 15 GDPR); right to rectification of inaccurate personal data (Art. 16 GDPR); right to erasure (Art. 17 GDPR); right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR); and right to object to processing (Art. 21 GDPR). If you have any questions, please contact the Data Protection Officer at Leipzig University (office: Augustusplatz 10, 04109 Leipzig). You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Saxon Commissioner for Data Protection.