Doctoral Researcher

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)
Job posting from 2025-02-19 - Reference number 33/2025
Salary group
E13 TV-L
Term
Fixed-term contract for up to 3 years
Volume
65% of a full-time position
Start date
1 May 2025
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:
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 () and Professor Bruno Glaser ().
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

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.

iDiv is committed to establishing and maintaining a diverse and inclusive community