Cities are at the frontline of climate change and biodiversity loss. Rising temperatures, intensifying heatwaves, and increasing land-use pressure demand new approaches to urban design. A fully funded PhD position (75%) is now available at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany, focusing on optimizing blue-green infrastructure to jointly enhance biodiversity conservation and urban climate adaptation.

This doctoral project is embedded within the international C4LaNd Graduate School (Cluster 2: Rethinking Urban Spaces) and offers a joint PhD degree (cotutelle) with the University of Melbourne, including a one-year research stay in Australia. For early-career researchers aiming at academic excellence in urban sustainability, climate adaptation, geospatial analytics, or environmental modelling, this is a strategically valuable opportunity.

Urban climate resilience and biodiversity protection are no longer separate agendas—they must be addressed together. This PhD offers the scientific framework, international exposure, and analytical depth to contribute meaningfully to sustainable urban transformation.

Institutional Framework and International Collaboration

The position is hosted at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus South in Karlsruhe, within the Institute of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (IPF).

Research is conducted in the junior research group GRUSS, led by Dr. Susanne Benz, with close collaboration with:

• University of Melbourne
• University of Hohenheim

The PhD follows a joint supervision model, leading to a dual doctoral degree between KIT and the University of Melbourne.

Location in Germany: Karlsruhe
International research stay: Melbourne, Australia (1 year)

Research Focus: Designing Urban Spaces for Climate and Biodiversity

Urban areas must simultaneously:

• Reduce heat stress
• Protect and enhance biodiversity
• Optimize land use under spatial constraints

Blue-green infrastructure—such as parks, green roofs, urban forests, wetlands, and water-sensitive design—offers significant potential. However, maximizing climate benefits and biodiversity outcomes often involves trade-offs.

Core Research Question

How can blue-green infrastructure in cities be designed to jointly enhance biodiversity conservation and urban climate adaptation under increasing land-use pressure?

Research Themes and Responsibilities

This PhD bridges spatial data science, ecological assessment, and decision-support modelling.

1. Biodiversity Assessment in Urban Contexts

• Apply conservation-based frameworks such as Natura 2000 / FFH
• Evaluate ecological characteristics of urban green infrastructure
• Assess habitat quality and species-supporting capacity

2. Spatial Analysis of Urban Green Infrastructure

• Analyse spatial patterns using GIS and remote sensing
• Map ecosystem services and ecological connectivity
• Identify structural and functional properties of green networks

3. Urban Climate and Heat Stress Modelling

• Investigate how green configurations influence urban heat
• Assess cooling effects under different land-use scenarios
• Evaluate adaptation potential under climate change projections

4. Trade-Off and Synergy Analysis

• Identify conflicts between biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation
• Quantify co-benefits and unintended consequences
• Compare alternative urban design strategies

5. Multi-Objective Optimization

• Develop quantitative decision-support tools
• Integrate biodiversity and climate metrics
• Contribute to sustainable urban land-use planning

6. Academic Output

• Publish in peer-reviewed journals
• Present at international conferences
• Contribute actively to the C4LaNd research programme

Candidate Profile

Applicants should hold:

• M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences, Geography, Ecology, Climate Science, Environmental Engineering, Urban Planning, or related fields

Essential competencies:

• Strong interest in urban sustainability and climate adaptation
• Experience with spatial data analysis (GIS)
• Fluency in English

Highly desirable skills:

• Programming in Python or R
• Modelling and quantitative analysis
• Experience in interdisciplinary research
• Familiarity with decision-support or optimization methods

Applicants must be willing to spend one year at the University of Melbourne. This position offers:

• Dual international PhD degree (Germany–Australia)
• Training in high-demand urban climate analytics
• Advanced spatial modelling expertise
• Cross-disciplinary research exposure
• Strong publication pipeline in sustainability science

Given accelerating global investment in climate-resilient cities, expertise in blue-green infrastructure optimization is increasingly relevant for:

• International sustainability organizations
• Academic careers
• Urban climate consulting
• Environmental policy advisory roles

Employment Conditions

• Start date: October/November 2026
• Contract duration: 3.5 years
• Employment level: 75% (TV-L E13 salary scale)
• Application deadline: 17 May 2026
• Vacancy number: 1093/2026

Host institution: Institute of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (IPF), KIT. The institution aims to improve gender balance and explicitly encourages female applicants. Recognized severely disabled persons will be given preference if equally qualified.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

• Letter of motivation
• Curriculum Vitae
• Contact details of two academic references
• Academic transcripts
• APPLY NOW
• Application deadline: 17 May 2026

Scientific inquiries:
Dr. Susanne Benz
Email: susanne.benz@kit.edu

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the PhD fully funded?

Yes. The position is funded at 75% employment under Germany’s TV-L E13 salary scale for 3.5 years.

What does “blue-green infrastructure” mean?

It refers to interconnected networks of vegetation and water systems—such as parks, wetlands, green roofs, and street trees—designed to provide ecological and climate benefits in urban areas.

Is programming experience mandatory?

Not strictly mandatory, but strong skills in Python or R significantly strengthen your application.

Will I receive two doctoral degrees?

Yes. The programme follows a cotutelle model, enabling a joint PhD degree from KIT and the University of Melbourne.

Is knowledge of German required?

No. English is the working language of the programme.

What makes an applicant competitive?

Strong GIS skills, quantitative modelling experience, and demonstrated interest in climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation.

Can international applicants apply?

Yes. The programme is international and welcomes applications from qualified candidates worldwide.