InstitutionFaculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Institute of Plant Sciences and Microbiology

Salary levelEGR. 13 TV-L

Start date01.06.2025, fixed for a period of three years (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).

Application deadline03.05.2025

Scope of workpart-time

Weekly hours65 % of standard work hours per week

Your responsibilities

Duties primarily include research. Research associates may also pursue independent research and further academic qualifications. They may also pursue doctoral studies outside of working duties.

Understanding the responses of organisms to environmental change is critical to managing and preserving biodiversity, especially in the light of global climate change. The aim of the project is to elucidate various mechanisms of rapid adaptive changes exemplarily in six subprojects using various biological collections of the University Hamburg and the Leibnitz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change. Our approach is taxonomically and functionally broad, spanning genomic, molecular, morphological, physiological and community level analysis in animals, plants and fungi. We will apply experimental evolution, phylogenomics, network analyses as well as utilize the rich biological collections that have been capturing biodiversity over the past 200 years. This PhD project is part of a research consortium that consists of six subprojects in total. Central to all projects is a data science approach to handle and analyze large and complex data. We search for a skilled and motivated research associate for the following subproject:

Rapid adaptive change in insect-spider communities – community structure and interactions

The project aims to understand how arthropod communities are changing under the pressure of climate change. In particular, you will leverage biological collections (from museums and biodiversity databases) comparing past and present communities, combined with space-for-time comparisons between distinct regions of Germany, to evaluate how global change drives changes in the trait composition on the level of communities. You will focus on five taxa with relatively good data availability: Aculeata, Araneae, Lepidoptera, Odonata and Orthoptera. Measurement of traits will be developed in close interaction with other subprojects, in particular with the subproject "Rapid adaptive change in species specific traits of insect-spider communities” evaluating intraspecific trait changes of selected species in the focal arthropod taxa. Eventually you will identify functions and interactions that are particularly at risk and assess to what extent arrival of new species into changing communities can compensate for the loss of species most sensitive to climate change.

Your profile

A university degree in a relevant field.

• an MSc (or equivalent) in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences or a related field, or alternatively, in a quantitative/data-science focused field and strong interest in biodiversity and ecology
• knowledge of community ecology as well as systematics/taxonomy of insects is required; practical experience with one of the focal taxa, or strong experience in field ecology, would be an advantage
• proof of quantitative training (statistics/data science, including R) is required; advanced skills in programming, data management or statistical modeling would be an advantage
• we are expecting a high degree of independence and scientific integrity

In addition, the successful applicant has to show interest in interactions with other members of the RAC project and should be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills.

We offer

• Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements
• Continuing education opportunities
• University pensions
• Attractive location
• Flexible working hours
• Work-life balance opportunities
• Health management, EGYM Wellpass
• Educational leave
• 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.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.