PhD (f/m/d) Part-time

PhD Position In Land Ecosystem Modelling

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, including a one-year research stay in Melbourne. Further information on C4LaNd, and the PhD positions advertised can be found at C4LaNd.earth.The PhD position is within the Global Land-Ecosystem Modelling Group at KIT-Campus Alpin (IMKIFU) in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, partnered with the Quantitative and Applied Ecology Group at Melbourne, Australia.

The overarching question of the doctoral research will be: how does the presence or absence of full trophic chains affect carbon and nutrient cycling in natural ecosystems, in the present day and under future climate change?

Lines of research include:

• Familiarize yourself with the ecosystem models LPJ-GUESS and Madingley
• Further develop key processes in Madingley (e.g. selective or height-depended feeding; introduction of detritivores, etc.)
• Explore literature and other data sources to support this parameterization as well as model evaluation
• Conduct simulations and evaluate output against observations
• 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 Madingley communitiy
• willingness to travel between KIT-Campus Alpin (IMKIFU), Garmisch-Partenkirchen and KIT Karlsruhe for C4LaNd courses

We Offer:

• Sciene for Impact : Engage with topics of societal relevance — in an excellent scientific environment that enables change.
• Flexible Working Hours : 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.
• Career‑Building and Developmental Opportunities : We provide you with a structured onboarding program, a broad spectrum of continuing‑education options, and personalised support, thereby fostering your individual growth.
• Family-friendliness : The “KIT‑Family +” program assists you in reconciling work and family life by offering childcare services, holiday activities, a parent‑child office space, and assistance with caring for relatives.
• Stay Healthy : Under the motto “Fit at KIT – Body, Mind and Soul,” we promote your well‑being through fitness classes, mental‑health programmes, and regular preventive health examinations.
• Individualised Extra Benefits : Enjoy 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

At KIT we value the diversity of our employees; different perspectives and backgrounds enrich our work. We prefer to balance the number of employees (f/m/d). Therefore we kindly ask female applicants to apply for this job. Applications from recognized severely disabled individuals are given preferential consideration when qualifications are equal. Application up to: Job posting number: 155/2026