About Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU Jena)

Located in the heart of Germany, Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU Jena) is a leading hub for academic excellence, research innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With over 17,000 students and 10,000 employees, the university thrives under its three core research pillars: Light, Life, and Liberty.

FSU Jena maintains strong partnerships with renowned research institutes, innovative companies, and cultural organizations, creating a vibrant ecosystem for groundbreaking discoveries.

The Cluster of Excellence “Balance of the Microverse”

At the forefront of FSU Jena’s research is the Cluster of Excellence – Balance of the Microverse, which investigates microbial communities across oceans, groundwater, plants, and human hosts. This initiative identifies common traits in disturbed ecosystems and infectious diseases at the microbiome level, paving the way for sustainable, targeted interventions.

Doctoral training is offered through the Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC), which combines structured coursework with interdisciplinary research in state-of-the-art facilities.

PhD Position: Microbial Pathogens and Climate Change

Research Focus:
The doctoral researcher will join Dr. Amelia Barber’s research group to study how climate change influences the evolution, behavior, and infectivity of fungal pathogens. Many of these pathogens originate in natural environments before infecting humans.

The project will combine:

• Experimental approaches (e.g., environmental microcosms)
• Advanced bioinformatics & genomics
  to understand how rising temperatures and shifting ecosystems drive pathogen adaptation and the emergence of novel infectious threats.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct independent microbiology and molecular biology experiments.
• Analyze large datasets, generate publication-quality figures, and write scientific manuscripts.
• Present findings at local, national, and international conferences.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including computational biologists.
• Mentor BSc students and research assistants.
• Contribute to a collaborative and inclusive research culture.

Candidate Profile

Essential:

• Master’s degree (or near completion) in biological sciences, bioinformatics, microbiology, or related field.
• Strong motivation, curiosity, and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

Preferred (but not mandatory):

• Lab experience in microbiology or molecular biology.
• Skills in coding, statistics, or next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis.
• Experience in interdisciplinary research environments.

FSU Jena encourages applications even from candidates who do not meet every listed requirement.

What FSU Jena Offers

• Fully funded PhD position (TV-L E13 pay scale, part-time 65%).
• 3.5 years funding with possible extension.
• Comprehensive doctoral training through JSMC, including mentoring and soft skills workshops.
• Access to cutting-edge laboratories and computational resources.
• 30 vacation days annually + 2 extra days (Dec 24 & 31).
• Family-friendly policies, childcare support, and health programs.
• A vibrant, international research community in the City of Science – Jena.

Why Study Microbial Pathogens in the Context of Climate Change?

Climate change is transforming ecosystems, altering pathogen dynamics, and increasing the risk of emerging infectious diseases. Fungal pathogens, in particular, are adapting to warming conditions, potentially making them more capable of infecting humans.

This research will:

• Provide insights into pathogen evolution under climate stress.
• Contribute to global infectious disease preparedness.
• Support targeted intervention strategies for both public health and ecosystem restoration.

Life in Jena – Germany’s City of Science

Jena offers the perfect balance of academic focus and cultural vibrancy. The city hosts music festivals, museums, historic sites, and scenic landscapes, all while fostering strong research collaborations. Its central location provides easy access to major cities like Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, and Munich.

How to Apply

Applications are open until August 31, 2025.
Submit your application through the FSU Jena Online Application Portal.

Required documents typically include:

• CV and academic transcripts
• Motivation letter
• References or recommendation letters

Tip for Applicants: Highlight your interdisciplinary skills, adaptability, and motivation to address global challenges at the intersection of microbiology and climate science.

Location: Luxembourg

Start Date: Between September and December 2025
Program Duration: 4 years
Funding: Fully funded with competitive benefits

Why This PhD Research Matters

Forests play a critical role as carbon sinks, but their carbon storage capacity is under increasing threat due to droughts, tree mortality, and ecosystem degradation. While carbon uptake by forests is widely researched, carbon export via runoff—especially in the form of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and CO₂—remains less understood.

This PhD project aims to:

• Quantify and trace carbon fluxes under drought conditions in forest ecosystems
• Improve the accuracy of carbon budgeting models
• Contribute essential data to global climate models and climate adaptation strategies

What You’ll Do as a PhD Researcher

As part of an international, interdisciplinary research team, your core responsibilities will include:

Investigating biogeochemical carbon fluxes in headwater forest catchments
Using radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dating and isotopic tracing (δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O) to identify carbon sources
Working on a live drought simulation at the Weierbach experimental catchment
Managing field sensors for DOC and dissolved CO₂ monitoring
Conducting water sampling and laboratory analyses
Modeling carbon transport and turnover using field and lab data
Collaborating with international partners in Sweden (SWE), France (INRAE), and the University of Luxembourg

This project is ideal for candidates who enjoy a mix of fieldwork, lab analysis, and computational modeling.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is perfect for candidates who are motivated to solve real-world environmental challenges and work on climate change mitigation strategies.

Minimum Qualifications:

• MSc in Hydrology, Environmental Science, Soil Science, or related fields
• Strong interest in carbon and water cycles
• Experience in field research and laboratory work
• Basic programming skills (preferably in R or Python)
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
• Valid B driving license
• C1 English proficiency (written and spoken)
• Willingness to work in an international, multidisciplinary research environment

Why Choose LIST?

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology is a world-class Research and Technology Organization (RTO). It provides a dynamic and inclusive environment with state-of-the-art research facilities and international collaboration opportunities.

Benefits Include:

• Competitive fully funded PhD package
• 32 days annual leave
• 13-month salary structure
• Public healthcare coverage
• Meal vouchers
• Flexible working hours and hybrid work options
• Diversity-friendly workplace (over 50 nationalities represented)
• Mentorship and professional development programs
• Family- and female-friendly work environment

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online. Email applications will not be accepted.

Required Documents:

• A tailored motivation letter for this PhD position
• Scientific CV with up-to-date contact details
• List of publications and/or patents (if applicable)
• Contact details of two academic referees

Submit Your Application Here (Insert the official application link)

Note: Admission to the University of Luxembourg requires official diploma recognition and a small semester fee (~€200).

About the FORFUS Doctoral Training Unit

This PhD is one of 13 prestigious positions within the FORFUS DTU, which focuses on:

• Below-ground carbon and nutrient processes
• Tree and canopy physiological responses
• Remote sensing and ecosystem monitoring
• Predicting forest function under climate stress

As a PhD researcher, you’ll collaborate closely with postdocs, senior scientists, and fellow doctoral candidates tackling the urgent environmental issues affecting European forests.

Be Part of Climate Solutions

If you’re ready to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time—climate change and forest ecosystem sustainability—this PhD opportunity is for you.

Join a world-class research team and make a lasting impact on carbon modeling, hydrology, and environmental policy.

Apply now and start your journey toward scientific excellence and global sustainability.

PhD Research Focus: Climate Change, Nectar Microbiomes & Pollinator Behavior

Pollinators play a crucial role in securing global food production—over 35% of crops rely on insect pollination. However, the floral nectar they are attracted to isn’t just sugar water—it’s a dynamic microbial habitat. These nectar microbes produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that directly influence pollinator preferences and behavior.

With heatwaves and droughts intensifying due to climate change, this delicate balance between flowers, nectar microbes, and pollinators is at risk. This PhD project will investigate:

• How climate stress (heat and drought) affects microbial communities in the nectar of Brassica napus (oilseed rape), a major global crop.
• Shifts in microbial taxonomic and functional composition, focusing on changes in VOC production.
• Impact on bumblebee behavior, analyzed through both robotic flower systems and live plants subjected to altered nectar microbiomes.

This cutting-edge research blends molecular biology, microbial ecology, entomology, and chemical ecology—making it ideal for candidates interested in real-world, interdisciplinary science.

Host Lab & Supervisors

As a PhD researcher, you’ll be based at the Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), within the Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems at KU Leuven, Belgium.

You will receive expert supervision from:

• Prof. Dr. Ir. Bart Lievens – Specialist in microbial-plant-insect interactions
• Prof. Dr. Joëlle Mühlemann – Renowned for her work in floral and chemical ecology

The lab provides an inclusive and collaborative environment, encouraging innovation and professional growth.

Candidate Requirements

To be considered for this exciting PhD opportunity in climate and microbial ecology, you should:

• Hold a Master’s degree in Biology, Bioengineering, or Engineering Technology (preferably with cum laude distinction)
• Have solid academic background in microbiology, molecular ecology, genomics, chemical ecology, or bioinformatics
• Be motivated, independent, and enthusiastic about interdisciplinary research
• Possess strong communication skills in English (written and spoken)
• Be open to contributing to teaching activities and mentoring within the team

What KU Leuven Offers

KU Leuven is internationally recognized for excellence in research and innovation. As a PhD researcher, you will benefit from:

• A 4-year full-time funded PhD contract starting October 1, 2025
• A competitive salary in line with KU Leuven’s PhD scale
• Full access to the Belgian social security system
• Opportunities to attend international workshops, training, and conferences
• A supportive, inclusive, and interdisciplinary lab culture

Why This PhD Matters: Impact on Food Security & Biodiversity

This PhD is not just about research—it’s about contributing to the global fight against climate change. Disruptions in nectar microbiomes may have serious consequences for pollination efficiency and agricultural productivity. Your research will provide critical insights into sustaining biodiversity and food security in a changing world.

This program offers a solid foundation for future careers in:

• Academic research in microbial ecology, climate science, or pollination biology
• Sustainable agriculture and biotechnology
• Climate policy, conservation consulting, or ecological data science

Application Deadline: July 31, 2025

To apply, visit the official KU Leuven application portal:

Click here to apply

Are you passionate about climate change adaptation, plant genomics, and AI-driven research? A fully funded PhD opportunity in Genomic Vulnerability and Climate Resilience is now open at the prestigious Université Paris-Saclay in France. This interdisciplinary PhD combines environmental genomics, machine learning, statistics, and plant science to build tools for understanding species resilience under climate stress.

About the PhD Program

As climate change accelerates, predicting how plant populations respond to extreme environmental shifts is critical for ensuring global food security. This PhD project aims to advance our understanding of genomic adaptation in crops like maize and teosinte under future climate scenarios.

Key Objective: Develop cutting-edge statistical and deep learning methods to model genomic vulnerability using Genome-Environment Association (GEA) and Genomic Offset (GO) frameworks.

Why Choose This PhD?

• Host Laboratory: MIA Lab at INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay — a hub for innovation in statistical modeling and quantitative genetics.
• Expert Supervision: Work under the guidance of leading scientists including Julie Aubert, Tristan Mary-Huard, M. Tenaillon, Laurence Moreau, and Mathieu Gautier.
• Collaborative Research: Jointly conducted with UMR Génétique Quantitative et Évolution and the University of Montpellier.
• Real-World Relevance: Focused on analyzing genomic data of maize and teosinte to assess their drought tolerance and climate resilience.

Research Highlights

• Climate change impact modeling
• Environmental and adaptive genomics
• Machine learning & neural networks
• High-dimensional data analysis
• Variational inference & stochastic optimization

Who Should Apply?

If you have a strong background in applied mathematics, machine learning, or statistics, and you’re curious about genomics and environmental adaptation, this opportunity is tailor-made for you.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Bioinformatics, Machine Learning, or related fields
• Proficiency in Python and/or R
• Interest in plant biology, climate science, and computational genomics
• Motivation to work on real-world problems with an interdisciplinary team

Program Details

• Degree Level: PhD in Environmental and Computational Genomics
• Location: Université Paris-Saclay, France
• Start Date: September or October 2025
• Duration: 3 years
• Funding Source: CLand Project & PEPR Maths-Vives
• Doctoral School: École Doctorale de Mathématiques Hadamard (EDMH)

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following documents via email:

• CV (with academic background and skills)
• Cover Letter (outlining your motivation and fit for the project)
• Contact details of two academic referees

Send Applications To:

• Tristan Mary-Huard: tristan.mary-huard@agroparistech.fr
• Julie Aubert: julie.aubert@agroparistech.fr

Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early submission is highly encouraged!

1. PhD Position: Urban Water Quality Under Drought Conditions

Location: University of Twente, Netherlands
Duration: 4 years (Full-time, 38 hours per week)
Salary: €2,901 – €3,707 gross/month
Application Deadline: May 25, 2025

Project Overview:
Urban water systems face increasing pressure due to rising demands and extreme weather events, such as droughts, which threaten water quality and availability. This PhD project will focus on understanding and addressing the challenges posed by droughts in urban water systems.

Key research goals include:

• Modeling available urban water sources with an emphasis on water quality.
• Integrating water quality parameters into urban supply-demand systems.
• Developing alternative water allocation strategies during droughts.

Your Role:

• Conduct a comprehensive literature review and data analysis.
• Develop and apply innovative methods to monitor and model urban water quality under drought conditions.
• Collaborate with project partners in Dutch cities as part of the ‘Thirsty Cities’ project.

Your Profile:

• MSc in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related fields.
• Strong analytical, modeling, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency in English (knowledge of Dutch is a plus).

What We Offer:

• Full scholarship with mentorship and professional development opportunities.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus.
• Solid pension scheme and a minimum of 29 vacation days/year.

Contact:
Dr. Lara Wöhler
Email: l.wohler@utwente.nl

Apply Now →

2. PhD Position: Upscaling Drought Resilience from Species to Landscape Level

Location: University of Twente, Netherlands
Duration: 4 years (Full-time, 40 hours per week)
Salary: €2,901 – €3,707 gross/month
Application Deadline: May 31, 2025

Project Overview:
As part of the COMBINED project, this PhD position focuses on addressing biodiversity loss and enhancing climate resilience through integrated landscape governance. The project will analyze drought patterns and recovery using remote sensing technologies and spatial analysis.

Key research objectives include:

• Monitoring drought and recovery patterns via remote sensing.
• Integrating biodiversity data with remote sensing proxies.
• Evaluating landscape resilience strategies for future drought scenarios.

Your Role:

• Analyze spatial and temporal patterns using satellite imagery and remote sensing data.
• Combine biodiversity insights with geo-spatial data for landscape analysis.
• Collaborate with 24 societal organizations and research institutes to promote effective solutions.

Your Profile:

• MSc degree in Remote Sensing, Spatial Analysis, or Data Science.
• Proficiency in Python and/or R programming.
• Strong team collaboration skills and fluency in English (knowledge of Dutch is a plus).

What We Offer:

• Access to world-class research facilities and professional development opportunities.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 41 vacation days/year for full-time employment.

Contact:
Dr. Wietske Bijker
Email: w.bijker@utwente.nl

Prof. Wieteke Willemen
Email: l.l.willemen@utwente.nl

Apply Now →

Why Choose the University of Twente?

• Join a vibrant, international research community.
• Work at one of Europe’s leading universities dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and diversity.
• Benefit from state-of-the-art research facilities and world-class mentorship programs.
• Located on a beautiful green campus in the heart of the Netherlands!

Don’t miss out on these incredible opportunities! Apply before May 25 and May 31, 2025, and take the next step in your environmental research career at the University of Twente.

PhD Research Topic:

Impact of Climate on Radionuclide Transfer to Plants

With rising global temperatures, it’s essential to understand how radioactive and chemical pollutants behave in terrestrial ecosystems. This PhD project investigates how climate change affects radionuclide transfer from soil to plants, focusing on two contrasting climatic zones:

• Temperate/humid climates (e.g., Europe)
• Hot/dry climates (e.g., UAE)

A unique aspect of this research is the inclusion of soil microbial communities in radionuclide uptake analysis—providing a comprehensive understanding of pollutant dynamics under climate stress.

Key Research Objectives

• Analyze radionuclide transfer mechanisms between soil and plants under different climate scenarios
• Investigate the influence of rhizospheric microbial communities on pollutant uptake
• Develop predictive environmental models to forecast pollutant behavior due to climate change

Methodology & Experimental Setup

The PhD research will employ state-of-the-art methods, including:

• Nucleated phytotron experiments for climate simulation (Subatech lab)
• Hydroponic systems to study radionuclide bioavailability
• Soil/sand pot trials for real-world transfer simulations across diverse soil and climate types
• Use of radionuclide analogues in non-nuclearized phytotrons (LPG lab)

Candidate Profile: Eligibility & Skills

Essential Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, or related fields
• Solid understanding of life and earth sciences
• Hands-on experience with phytotron-based plant growth systems
• Knowledge of pollutant tracing techniques and research valorization
• Strong communication skills in English (spoken and written)
• Demonstrated organizational skills, autonomy, and scientific rigor

Preferred Expertise (Bonus Skills):

• Background in radiochemistry and/or microbiology
• Familiarity with radioecology, soil science, or plant-microbe interactions

Research Supervision Team

You’ll work under the guidance of an experienced academic team:

• Prof. A. Abdelouas – IMT Atlantique
• Prof. T. Lebeau – Nantes Université
• Dr. O. Péron – Nantes Université

Support and training will be provided by both Subatech and LPG laboratories.

Application Deadline:

May 9, 2025 – 23:59 (UTC)

Application Checklist

Prepare the following documents for your application:

• Updated CV
• Motivational cover letter detailing your research interests and relevant experience

How to Apply

Apply directly through the CNRS application portal:

Click Here to Apply Online