Doctoral Research Position in Tropical Plant Ecology

Institution

University of Bayreuth, Germany
Department of Plant Ecology – Research Group Functional and Tropical Plant Ecology
(Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research – BayCEER)

Position Type

PhD / Doctoral Researcher (3-year paid position)

Start Date

Flexible start between April and August 2026

General Details

The Department of Plant Ecology (Research Group Functional and Tropical Plant Ecology, Prof. Dr. Bettina Engelbrecht) at the University of Bayreuth, Germany, offers a Doctoral Researcher position. This is a three-year paid position with a flexible starting date between April and August 2026.

The doctoral researcher will participate in the DFG-funded research project “The ecological role of silicon in tropical forests: consequences of inter- and intraspecific variation of silicon accumulation for woody seedling regeneration in the forest understory”, carried out in close collaboration with Dr. Liza Comita (School of the Environment, Yale University, USA).

A central component of the project is field research in lowland tropical forests in central Panama, hosted by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI).

The research group is part of the Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), an interdisciplinary research hub at the University of Bayreuth with more than 60 senior researchers and postdoctoral scientists. Doctoral researchers benefit from the structured Doctoral Program in Ecology and Environmental Research (PEER).

Candidate Profile / Qualifications

Applicants should have:

• A Master’s degree in Ecology, Botany, or a related discipline
• Strong interest and background in plant ecology, tropical ecology, functional ecology, and/or field-based research
• Motivation and ability to conduct fieldwork under challenging tropical conditions
• Good organizational and analytical skills
• Solid experience in statistical data modelling
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills
  (German and Spanish are optional)
• A team-oriented mindset and interest in scientific collaboration

Location

University of Bayreuth, Germany

Field research in Central Panama (STRI)

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted until the position is filled

Contact 

Bettina Engelbrecht
bettina.engelbrecht@uni-bayreuth.de

Supporting Document:
Full call (PDF)