PhD Funded Position in Plant Ecology at University of Hohenheim, Germany

The University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany, is inviting applications for a doctoral position in Plant Ecology within the Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, Department of Plant Ecology. The position is part of the GreenRobust Cluster of Excellence and focuses on understanding how plant gas exchange responds to environmental conditions across different biological scales.

The doctoral researcher will investigate plant responses to CO₂ and light, ranging from individual leaves to entire plant stands. The project combines experimental measurements, innovative open-chamber technology, and process-based modelling to better understand how gas exchange scales from small biological units to larger ecological systems.

This PhD position in Germany is suitable for graduates with a completed Master’s degree in a plant- or ecology-focused discipline. The successful candidate should be curious, self-motivated, methodical, comfortable working in a team, and willing to develop new technical and analytical skills. Basic programming and data-organization experience are also expected.

The position is based in Stuttgart-Hohenheim, starts on October 1, 2026, and is offered at 65% employment scope with remuneration of up to E13 TV-L. The contract is fixed-term until December 31, 2029. The application deadline is September 15, 2026.

PhD Research Project: Scale Matters in Plant Gas Exchange

The Department of Plant Ecology at the University of Hohenheim investigates how plants respond to environmental change through complex and often nonlinear dynamics. Its research combines experimental work, field monitoring, ecophysiology, and modelling to improve predictions of ecosystem functioning and contribute to sustainable land use and climate adaptation.

The advertised doctoral project, titled “Scale Matters,” addresses an important challenge in plant ecology: how measurements and processes observed at one biological scale relate to those occurring at another.

Plant gas exchange is commonly studied at the leaf level, but ecological processes operate across much larger scales. Understanding how photosynthetic and respiratory responses observed in individual leaves relate to whole plants and plant stands can improve our ability to predict ecosystem responses to changing environmental conditions.

As part of the GreenRobust research environment, the PhD researcher will contribute to refining and benchmarking an existing open-chamber system for measuring plant gas exchange. The project will then use experimental approaches to investigate plant gas-exchange responses to different levels of CO₂ and light.

The research will connect these experimental measurements with process-based models, allowing the candidate to quantify scaling relationships from leaf level through individual plants to stand level.

Key Details of the PhD Position

Details	Information
Position	Doctoral Position – “Scale Matters”
Research field	Plant Ecology, Ecophysiology, Ecosystem Research
Institute	Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology
Department	Department of Plant Ecology
Research cluster	GreenRobust Cluster of Excellence
Institution	University of Hohenheim
Location	Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Germany
Start date	October 1, 2026
Application deadline	September 15, 2026
Reference code	2026/90
Employment scope	65%
Remuneration	Up to E13 TV-L
Contract duration	Fixed-term until December 31, 2029
Degree requirement	Completed Master’s degree in a plant- or ecology-focused field
Working language	English
Programming	Basic experience desirable
Thesis supervision	Bachelor’s and Master’s students

What Will the PhD Researcher Do?

The successful candidate will contribute to the further development of an existing open-chamber system designed to measure plant gas exchange. An important early component of the project will be refining and benchmarking this prototype so that it can provide reliable measurements for subsequent experiments.

The researcher will then experimentally quantify reaction norms of plant gas exchange in response to CO₂ and light across different scales. This work will require careful experimental planning, data collection, organization, and interpretation.

A central aspect of the PhD will be understanding how gas-exchange relationships change as the scale of observation increases. Measurements at the leaf level will be connected to processes at the individual plant level and ultimately at the plant stand level.

To achieve this, the project will incorporate process-based modelling. The doctoral researcher will use experimental observations and modelling approaches to quantify scaling relationships and improve understanding of how plant-level processes contribute to larger-scale ecosystem functioning.

The position also includes scientific communication. The researcher will be expected to publish research findings and communicate results through appropriate scientific channels.

In addition, the PhD researcher will have the opportunity to supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis candidates, providing useful experience in academic mentoring and research supervision.

Eligibility and Candidate Profile

Applicants should have completed a Master’s degree in a plant- or ecology-focused discipline. The vacancy is particularly relevant to graduates with academic backgrounds in plant ecology, ecology, plant sciences, environmental sciences, or closely related areas.

The university is looking for someone who is curious, self-motivated, and methodical. Because the research combines experimental work, technology development, data handling, and modelling, the ability to approach scientific problems systematically will be important.

Strong interpersonal skills are also part of the desired profile. The successful candidate should be comfortable working as part of a research team and should be willing to both ask for help and offer support to colleagues when needed.

The position also requires a willingness to learn and develop new skill sets. Candidates do not necessarily need to arrive with every technical skill required for the project, but they should demonstrate motivation to acquire new knowledge and methods during the doctoral programme.

Basic experience with programming languages and data organization is expected. These skills can be particularly useful when processing experimental measurements, organizing ecological datasets, and working with process-based models.

Excellent written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of German is beneficial but is not stated as an absolute requirement.

Research Skills You Can Develop

This doctoral position offers an opportunity to develop a combination of experimental, technological, computational, and ecological research skills.

The researcher will gain practical experience with plant gas-exchange measurements and the development and benchmarking of open-chamber systems. The project also provides an opportunity to investigate how plants respond physiologically to changes in CO₂ and light.

From a quantitative perspective, the PhD will involve data organization, programming, process-based modelling, and scaling analysis. These skills are increasingly valuable for researchers working in plant science, ecosystem ecology, environmental modelling, and climate-change research.

The project can therefore be particularly attractive to candidates who want to build a research profile combining plant ecophysiology with computational and modelling approaches.

The opportunity to supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s students can additionally help the successful candidate develop teaching, mentoring, communication, and academic leadership skills.

Why Scale Matters in Plant Ecology

One of the important challenges in ecological research is understanding how processes measured at a small scale translate to larger systems.

A leaf may respond to changes in light or CO₂ in a measurable way, but the response of an individual plant may not simply be a direct sum of the responses of its leaves. At an even larger scale, interactions among plants and environmental conditions can further influence gas exchange.

Studying these relationships can help researchers improve predictions of plant performance and ecosystem functioning under changing environmental conditions.

The “Scale Matters” project is therefore positioned at the intersection of experimental plant ecology, ecophysiology, technology, and modelling. Its results could contribute to broader efforts to understand plant responses to environmental change and improve ecological predictions.

GreenRobust Cluster of Excellence

The doctoral position is embedded within the GreenRobust Cluster of Excellence, providing the researcher with an interdisciplinary academic environment.

GreenRobust focuses on understanding plant responses and robustness under changing environmental conditions. Working within such a research environment can provide doctoral researchers with opportunities to interact with scientists from complementary disciplines and develop perspectives beyond their immediate project.

For candidates interested in climate adaptation, plant responses to environmental change, ecosystem functioning, and sustainable land use, the cluster provides a relevant scientific setting for doctoral research.

Why Consider a PhD at the University of Hohenheim?

The University of Hohenheim has a distinctive academic profile that brings together the Faculties of Agricultural Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Business, Economics and Social Sciences.

Its green campus places university facilities and research activities in close proximity, helping create opportunities for collaboration between different disciplines. For doctoral researchers, this environment can support interaction with scientists working across agriculture, natural sciences, ecology, and related fields.

The university also highlights a multifaceted and responsible working environment with creative freedom. Employees can benefit from flexible working hours and remote-working options, as well as opportunities for personal and professional development.

Additional benefits highlighted in the vacancy include health support, university sports, a job ticket, and JobBike. Together, these conditions can make the University of Hohenheim an attractive environment for researchers seeking both academic development and a supportive workplace.

Working Environment and Benefits

The Department of Plant Ecology describes itself as a friendly and dynamic research environment. Its research combines experimental approaches, field monitoring, ecophysiology, and modelling to investigate plant responses to environmental change.

The University of Hohenheim also highlights several employment benefits, including:

• A vibrant and innovative working environment on a green campus
• A multifaceted position with creative freedom
• Flexible working hours
• Remote-working opportunities
• Opportunities for personal and professional development
• Support for work-life balance
• Health support and university sports
• Job ticket and JobBike options
• A secure employment environment

For doctoral researchers, the combination of scientific independence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional development can provide a strong foundation for an academic or research-oriented career.

Location: Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Germany

The doctoral position is based at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Germany.

Hohenheim provides a particularly relevant environment for research in plant ecology, agricultural sciences, natural sciences, and environmental change. The university’s green campus supports interaction among researchers and creates a setting where different scientific disciplines can work together.

For a project focused on plant responses, gas exchange, ecosystem functioning, and environmental change, the location is closely aligned with the broader research profile of the university.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

The University of Hohenheim emphasizes equal opportunities and diversity in its recruitment process. The university states that applicants’ skills and strengths are considered regardless of age, gender, origin, or religion.

Applications from people with severe disabilities or equivalent status are welcome. Where candidates are equally suitable, applicants with severe disabilities will receive preferential consideration.

How to Apply for the PhD Position

Interested candidates should submit their application through APPLY NOW before the deadline of September 15, 2026. The position is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026, and applicants should ensure that their application clearly presents their academic background, relevant research experience, technical skills, programming or data-handling experience, and motivation for pursuing doctoral research in plant ecology. For questions about the position, applicants can contact Dr. Bernd Berauer, Principal Investigator, by telephone at +49 (0)711 459 23970.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the topic of this PhD position?

The doctoral project, titled “Scale Matters,” investigates how plant gas exchange responds to CO₂ and light across different biological scales, from leaves and individual plants to plant stands.

2. Where is the PhD position located?

The position is based at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Germany.

3. When does the doctoral position start?

The scheduled start date is October 1, 2026.

4. What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is September 15, 2026.

5. What degree is required?

Applicants should have a completed Master’s degree with a plant- or ecology-focused background.

6. Is programming experience required?

Basic experience with programming languages and data organization is part of the desired candidate profile.

7. Is German required?

Excellent written and spoken English is required. German knowledge is beneficial but is not stated as mandatory.

8. What research methods are involved?

The project involves open-chamber gas-exchange measurements, experimental studies of plant responses to CO₂ and light, scaling analysis, and process-based modelling.

9. What is the employment scope?

The position is offered at 65% employment scope.

10. What is the salary?

The position offers remuneration of up to E13 TV-L.

11. How long is the contract?

The doctoral position is fixed-term until December 31, 2029.

12. Will the PhD researcher supervise students?

Yes. The position includes the supervision of Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis candidates.

13. Is the position part of a research cluster?

Yes. The project is associated with the GreenRobust Cluster of Excellence at the University of Hohenheim.