PhD (f/m/d) Part-time

PhD Position: Ecosystem And Biodiversity Impacts Of Novel Land-Use Futures

Do you have knowledge of land ecosystems, climate change and land use change? Do you have good quantitative and coding skills? Are you keen to apply these to address societal and ecological research challenges? If so, we can offer you to earn your PhD degree within a multidisciplinary, international research training group, with partners at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, the University of Melbourne, Australia and the University of Hohenheim, Germany.

C4LaNd is a new research training group that brings together senior and doctoral researchers from the natural, social, economic and engineering sciences to address the challenges of sustainably using land for the benefit of both people and nature. You will receive a dual PhD degree from KIT and University of Melbourne, Australia, including a one-year research stay in Melbourne, Australia.

The overarching question of the doctoral research will be: how do different, novel land-use futures affect ecosystem state and function globally, what are implications of these for biodiversity and ecosystem services in the present day and under future climate change?

Lines of research include:

• Familiarize yourself with the LandSyMM modelling framework and in particular its ecosystem models LPJ-GUESS
• Simulate how a range of novel future land-use changes scenarios affects ecosystem carbon cycling and a range of other ecosystem processes and services
• Explore how a range of biodiversity indicators such as species habitat availability and extinction risk would be affected by a suite of land use futures
• Explore literature and other data sources to support interpretation of outputs and model evaluation
• Develop ideas for model applications, simulation set-up and analysis and publications
• Document code development and performance

You have:

• M.Sc. degree in environmental science, ecology, meteorology, or related areas
• Knowledge in coding languages, ideally C++
• Proficiency in Python or R
• Fluency in English, written and spoken
• Delight in engaging within the environment of an international, multidisciplinary training programme
• Willingness to undertake a one-year research placement at the University of Melbourne, Australia and comply with formalities at both locations
• Readiness to engage within the LPJ-GUESS and LandSyMM communities
• Willingness to travel between KIT-Campus Alpin (IMKIFU), Garmisch-Partenkirchen and KIT Karlsruhe for C4LaNd courses

We offer:

• Engage with topics of societal relevance — in an excellent scientific environment that enables change.
• Take advantage of flexible‑hours schemes, remote‑work options, part‑time models, and a 30‑day annual leave entitlement to achieve an optimal work‑life balance.
• A structured onboarding program, a broad spectrum of continuing‑education options, and personalised support, thereby fostering your individual growth.
• Assistance in reconciling work and family life by offering childcare services, holiday activities, a parent‑child office space, and assistance with caring for relatives.
• Promote your well‑being through fitness classes, mental‑health programmes, and regular preventive health examinations.
• A corporate pension (VBL), a €25 monthly contribution toward a JobTicket BW, plus a broad selection of cultural and recreational programmes.

Job location Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Salary Salary category 13 TV-L; classification is based on personal and professional qualifications.

Contract duration 3,5 years

Contact person in line-management Prof. Dr. Almut Arneth almut.arneth@kit.edu

If you have general questions about the application process, please contact Kristin Rink Personalservice (PSE) kristin.rink@kit.edu +49 721 608-25004

Application up to: Job posting number: 153/2026