Postdoc in Mechanistic Biodiversity Modelling with temporary civil servant status (Akademische*r Rätin*Rat)

The Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn is an internationally operating research university with a broad range of disciplines. With 200 years of history, approximately 31,500 students, more than 6,000 employees, and an excellent reputation both nationally and internationally, the University of Bonn is among the most significant universities in Germany.

The Ecological Modelling Research Group of the Bonner Institute for Organismal Biology (BIOB), Department I (Plant Biodiversity) at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn is seeking to fill a postdoc position.

Postdoc in Mechanistic Biodiversity Modelling with temporary civil servant status (Akademische*r Rätin*Rat), 100%

The position is initially available for 3 years, with the possibility of 3 years extension after positive half-term evaluation.

Our team’s research focusses on mechanistic biodiversity modelling across spatiotemporal scales and levels of organisation (from individual to ecosystems, under natural and human-induced scenarios). We combine ecological and eco-evolutionary models with field work and data analyses to understand and predict biodiversity dynamics. Our work focusses on terrestrial ecosystems and plants, in particular island biogeography, species distribution dynamics, eco-evolutionary feedbacks, biodiversity diversity gradients, tropical forests and vascular epiphytes. For more information on our lab, please visit: https://www.biologie.uni-bonn.de/biob/de/biob/biob_botanik/ag-sarmento-cabral.

We seek a postdoc to complement our working group and support research and teaching. The position should be used towards a Habilitation, in which the postdoc has the chance to establish own research line, including high publication profile, experience in grant acquisition and student supervision. We welcome applications from diverse modelling backgrounds, including e.g. generation vegetation models, spatially-explicit dynamic population and/or community models, individual-based models.

Your task:

• Insert yourself in the lab research, focusing on the application of existent and/or development of novel biodiversity mechanistic models, including forest and vegetation models, metacommunity plant models, range dynamic models, and/or eco-evolutionary models.
• Model calibration and parameterisation, simulation experiments, and output analysis.
• Developing your own independent research line within our research interests towards Habilitation, including acquiring grants and supervising undergraduate and graduate students.
• Teaching bachelor (in German) and/or master (in English) level (4 hours per week per semester).

Your profile:

• Completed a PhD in a relevant field (e.g. ecology, geoecology, evolution or related discipline), with strong publication record in peer-reviewed international journals.
• Necessary experience and knowledge in conceiving and programming (e.g., R, Julia, Java, MATLAB, C++) mechanistic, individual-based and/or theoretical ecological or eco-evolutionary models.
• Good communication skills, ability for teamwork, collaborative research and proficiency in English are necessary.
• Experience with AI methods, parallel and high-performance computing is advantageous.
• Driving license and willingness to combine modelling with field work is advantageous.

We offer:

• Up to 6 years (initially 3 years, with plus 3 years upon passing half-term evaluation) as civil servant status (A13Z).
• A diverse and challenging role in an international team, with IT and research software support.
• Flexible working hours and opportunities for professional development and further training.
• Occupational pension scheme (VBL).
• Excellent transport connections, as well as the option to take advantage of affordable parking options.
• Numerous university sports programmes
• Salary according to pay grade A 13 LBesO NRW.

For more information, contact Prof. Dr. Sarmento Carbal by telephone: +49 228 73 5283 or by email: cabral@uni-bonn.de. More information about working at the University of Bonn can be found in https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/university/working-at-the-university/working-at-the-university. The University of Bonn is committed to diversity and equal opportunities. It is certified as a family-friendly university. Its aim is to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented. Therefore, the university explicitly encourages qualified women to apply. Applications will be handled in accordance with the State Equality Act. Applications from individuals with proven severe disabilities or those with equivalent status are particularly welcome.

Please send your complete and relevant application documents (including a cover letter, research interests and potential research ideas, your CV with list of peer-reviewed publications, previous teaching experience, the contact details of two academic references, relevant certificates/diplomas) by 22nd June 2025, quoting the reference number 2025/49 exclusively as a single PDF file via email to cabral@uni-bonn.de.