TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in the country. For TUD diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university. Accordingly, we welcome all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and productivity to the success of the whole institution.
Research Associate / PhD Student (m/f/x) in Tropical tree ecophysiology and tree water relations
(subject to personal qualification, employees are remunerated according to salary group E 13 TV-L)
Within the DFG-funded interdisciplinary research unit GArua: “Fog-dependent water relations and plant invasion in the Galápagos Archipelago under climate change” (https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/prfolder-en/news/when-the-garua-disappears-a-new-research-unit-will-study-the-future-of-the-galapagos-cloud-forests), the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Department of Forest Sciences, Institute of Forest Botany and Forest Zoology, Chair of Forest Botany offers a position as
Research Associate / PhD Student (m/f/x)
in Tropical tree ecophysiology and tree water relations
starting January 1, 2027. The position is limited until July 31, 2030, with the possibility of extension up to a total employment duration of four years and entails 65% of the full-time weekly hours. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG). The position offers the chance to obtain further academic qualification (usually PhD).
Tasks
Within this collaborative research project, the research associate will be responsible for the installation and maintenance of sap flow sensors and automated dendrometers for quantifying tree water use and status of native and exotic shrub and tree species, for hydraulic characterization as well as for several measurement campaigns.
Requirements
- an excellent university degree in forest or plant ecology, ecophysiology, environmental sciences, or a related discipline with field and/or lab experience
- willingness for several long-term stays at the Charles Darwin Research Station, main island of the Galapagos Archipelago, Ecuador, as well as to familiarize oneself with technical installations and sensor networks
- capability for intensive fieldwork campaigns in harsh environmental conditions is essential while advanced understanding of tree water relations is a plus
- proven scientific writing skills is essential, while advanced knowledge in statistical analyses with R is a plus
- proven experience in working in diverse teams, team-oriented and willing to learn and work independently
- advanced command of English is essential while basic knowledge of Spanish and/or German is desirable
What we offer
- joint doctoral studies together with further PhD student in other subprojects working on Galapagos
- an inspiring, international and interdisciplinary working environment, specialized in forest and plant ecology, ecophysiology and plant hydraulics
- attractive working conditions and opportunities for further professional development at TUD
For project-related questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Bernhard Schuldt (bernhard.schuldt@tu-dresden.de).
How to apply
TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research. We therefore expressly encourage women to apply. The university is a family-friendly university. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority for employment.
Application: Please submit your detailed application with the usual documents (among others motivation letter, curriculum vitae, certificates and grades) by October 31, 2026 (time stamp on the email server of TUD applies) exclusively by email, preferably via the TUD SecureMail Portal https://securemail.tu-dresden.de, by sending it as a single pdf file to forstbotanik@tu-dresden.de. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.
TUD is a founding partner in the DRESDEN-concept alliance.
Reference to data protection: Your data protection rights, the purpose for which your data will be processed, as well as further information about data protection is available to you on the website:
https://tu-dresden.de/karriere/datenschutzhinweis.
Facts
- Number of employees
- 8000
- Category
- PhD student, Research assistant
- Job location
- Germany, Saxony, Dresden
- Area of responsibility
- Natural sciences, Academia and research, Research (academic), Laboratory work, Environmental science
- Start date (earliest)
- 01.01.2027
- Duration
- The position is limited until July 31, 2030, with the possibility of extension up to a total employment duration of four years.
- Full/Part-time
- 65% of the full-time weekly hours
- Remuneration
- subject to personal qualification, employees are remunerated according to salary group E 13 TV-L
- Working language and expected level
-
- English (Business fluent)
- Homepage
- https://tu-dresden.de/bu/umwelt/forst...
Requirements
- Qualification
- an excellent university degree
- Field of study
- Agriculture, forestry, food science and veterinary medicine, Environmental sciences, forest or plant ecology, ecophysiology or a related discipline with field and/or lab experience or a related discipline with field and/or lab experience
- Computer skills
- advanced knowledge in statistical analyses with R is a plus
- Language skills
-
- German (Beginner)
- Spanish (Beginner)
Apply
- Application deadline
- 31.10.2026
- Reference number
- w26-264
- Application documents
-
usual documents (among others motivation letter, curriculum vitae, certificates and grades)
- By email
- forstbotanik@tu-dresden.de