PhD Funded Position in Plant-Microbe Interactions at University of Hohenheim, Germany

The University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany, is inviting applications for a PhD position in Plant-Microbe Interactions within the Department of Landscape Ecology and Vegetation Science and the EXC GreenRobust Cluster of Excellence. The doctoral research will investigate how root-associated microorganisms influence plant reproduction and floral traits under drought conditions.

This research position is an excellent opportunity for graduates with a Master’s or Diploma in Biology, Ecology, Plant Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or a comparable discipline who are interested in plant ecology, pollination biology, soil microbiology, and environmental change. The project takes an interdisciplinary approach by connecting processes belowground, such as root-associated microbiomes, with aboveground plant reproduction and pollinator interactions.

The position is based in Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Germany, with a planned start date as soon as possible. The position is offered at 65% employment, with remuneration of up to E 13 TV-L, and is available through December 31, 2029. The application deadline is September 30, 2026.

PhD Research Project: Plant-Microbe Interactions and Plant Robustness

The Department of Landscape Ecology and Vegetation Science studies biotic interactions from a trait-based perspective, combining experimental and observational research to understand how plants respond to environmental change.

The advertised PhD project is embedded within the GreenRobust Cluster of Excellence and is jointly supervised with the Department of Soil Biology. The central research question concerns the relationship between root-associated microbiomes, plant reproduction, and drought stress.

The project will explore how microorganisms living around plant roots can influence characteristics associated with floral attractiveness and reproductive success when plants experience drought. This research may provide new insights into how interactions between plants and microorganisms contribute to plant robustness under changing environmental conditions.

By combining greenhouse experiments, floral trait measurements, pollination studies, root analyses, microbiome research, and statistical approaches, the successful candidate will investigate plant responses across both aboveground and belowground systems.

Key Details of the PhD Position

Details	Information
Position	PhD Position – Plant-Microbe Interactions
Research area	Plant ecology, microbiomes, pollination, drought and plant robustness
Department	Department of Landscape Ecology and Vegetation Science
Research cluster	EXC GreenRobust Cluster of Excellence
Institution	University of Hohenheim
Location	Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Germany
Start date	As soon as possible
Application deadline	September 30, 2026
Reference code	2026/107
Employment scope	65%
Remuneration	Up to E 13 TV-L
Contract duration	Through December 31, 2029
Degree requirement	Master’s or Diploma in a relevant discipline
Working language	English

What Will the PhD Researcher Do?

The successful candidate will plan and conduct greenhouse experiments designed to investigate how root-associated microorganisms influence floral attractiveness and plant reproduction under drought conditions. The research will require careful experimental planning and reliable data collection during different phases of the project.

A significant part of the research will focus on measuring floral traits and reproductive output in selected plant species. Depending on the experiment, activities may include floral scent analysis, hand-pollination treatments, and pollinator preference assays. These approaches will help researchers examine whether belowground microbial interactions can affect aboveground reproductive traits.

Following the experiments, the researcher will conduct laboratory analyses of root traits, root exudates, and rhizosphere microbiomes. The project includes root exudate profiling as well as amplicon sequencing of microbial communities associated with the rhizosphere.

The position is intended to lead to an original doctoral dissertation. Therefore, the PhD researcher will also be responsible for statistical analysis, preparing research results for publication in peer-reviewed journals, and presenting findings at national and international conferences.

In addition to the individual research project, the candidate will contribute to a literature synthesis on biotic interactions and plant robustness and participate in doctoral training and research activities organized by the GreenRobust Cluster of Excellence.

Eligibility and Candidate Profile

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree or Diploma in Biology, Ecology, Plant Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or a comparable field.

A strong interest in connecting aboveground and belowground plant ecology is important for this position. Candidates should be motivated to work at the intersection of trait-based ecology, pollination biology, and soil microbiology.

Previous experience with greenhouse or field experiments is beneficial. Experience in molecular methods or analytical chemistry is also considered an advantage, particularly because the project involves analyses of root-associated microbial communities and chemical characteristics such as root exudates.

The position requires good statistical skills and experience with R. An interest in bioinformatic processing of multivariate datasets, including spectroscopic data or amplicon sequencing data, will be valuable for the research.

The successful candidate should be independent, well organized, and reliable, particularly during intensive experimental periods. Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary teamwork within the GreenRobust Cluster of Excellence is also expected.

Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Research Skills You Can Develop

This PhD position offers the opportunity to build a broad research skill set spanning experimental ecology, plant-microbe interactions, pollination biology, microbiome analysis, and quantitative research.

Depending on the research activities undertaken, the doctoral researcher can gain experience with greenhouse experimentation, floral trait measurements, pollinator preference studies, hand-pollination, root trait analysis, root exudate profiling, microbial community sequencing, statistical analysis in R, and multivariate data processing.

The combination of experimental and analytical methods makes the position particularly relevant for researchers interested in careers in plant ecology, environmental science, microbiome research, agricultural research, biodiversity science, or academic research.

GreenRobust Cluster of Excellence

The PhD project is part of the GreenRobust Cluster of Excellence, providing the researcher with an interdisciplinary research environment beyond the immediate doctoral project.

Participation in cluster activities can expose doctoral researchers to complementary approaches for understanding plant responses to environmental change. The advertised position specifically includes participation in doctoral training and research activities, as well as collaboration across related areas of plant and soil biology.

For candidates interested in understanding how plants respond to drought and other environmental pressures, this interdisciplinary setting provides a strong foundation for developing expertise in modern plant and ecosystem research.

Why Consider This 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 promotes close interaction between different research disciplines.

The university describes its campus as an environment that supports collaboration and provides an inspiring setting for research, teaching, and professional development. For doctoral researchers, this can create opportunities to work with scientists from different disciplines while developing an independent research profile.

The position also offers a multifaceted and responsible role with creative freedom, alongside flexible working hours and remote-working options. Additional benefits highlighted by the university include professional development opportunities, health support, university sports, a job ticket, and JobBike.

Working Environment and Benefits

The University of Hohenheim offers a green campus where research departments and university facilities are located close to one another. This environment supports interdisciplinary interaction and collaboration.

The university highlights several benefits for employees, including:

• An innovative and collaborative research environment
• A multifaceted role with opportunities for creative freedom
• Flexible working hours and remote working
• Opportunities for personal and professional development
• Support for work-life balance
• Health support and university sports
• Job ticket and JobBike options

These conditions can be particularly attractive to doctoral researchers who want to combine intensive experimental research with a supportive academic working environment.

Location: Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Germany

The PhD position is located at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart-Hohenheim. The university’s location provides a research setting closely connected to agricultural, natural, and environmental sciences.

Because the project combines plant ecology, soil biology, microbiome research, and agricultural science, the Hohenheim research environment is well aligned with the scientific focus of the doctoral project.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

The University of Hohenheim emphasizes equal opportunities and diversity and states that applicants are assessed according to their skills and strengths regardless of age, gender, origin, or religion.

The university particularly encourages women to apply. Applications from people with severe disabilities or equivalent status are also 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 **The application deadline is September 30, 2026, while the position is scheduled to begin as soon as possible. Applicants should ensure that their academic background, research interests, experimental experience, statistical skills, and motivation for interdisciplinary plant research are clearly presented in their application.

For questions about the position, applicants can contact Dr. Maximilian Hanusch or Prof. Dr. Tessa Camenzind using the contact: (maximilian.hanusch@uni-hohenheim.de, +49 711 459-22814) or Prof. Dr. Tessa Camenzind (tessa.camenzind@uni-hohenheim.de, +49 711 459-24065).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the topic of this PhD position?

The PhD focuses on plant-microbe interactions, particularly how root-associated microbes influence plant floral attractiveness and reproduction under drought conditions.

2. Where is the PhD position located?

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

3. When does the position start?

The position is expected to start as soon as possible.

4. What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is September 30, 2026.

5. What degree is required?

Applicants should have a Master’s or Diploma degree in Biology, Ecology, Plant Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or a comparable discipline.

6. Is experience with molecular biology required?

Experience with molecular methods or analytical chemistry is an advantage. The vacancy does not state that these skills are mandatory.

7. Is experience with R required?

Good statistical skills and experience with R are part of the desired profile. An interest in bioinformatic processing of multivariate data is also valuable.

8. What research methods are included?

The project may involve greenhouse experiments, floral scent analysis, hand-pollination, pollinator preference assays, root trait measurements, root exudate profiling, and amplicon sequencing of rhizosphere microbial communities.

9. What is the salary?

The position offers remuneration of up to E 13 TV-L at a 65% employment scope.

10. How long is the contract?

The position is available through December 31, 2029.

11. What language is required?

Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is required.