PhD position in Neogene Palynology of the Hammerschmiede Biodiversity Hotspot, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen
The Terrestrial Palaeoclimatology Group at the University of Tübingen seek to fill a PhD position to
start at 1.4.2026 until 30.9.2029 (maximum three and a half years). Salary will follow the German
public service scale TV-L E13 at 75%.
This PhD position is embedded in the newly funded Cluster of Excellence TERRA – “Terrestrial
Geo-Biosphere Interactions in a Changing World.” TERRA brings together an interdisciplinary
team of geoscientists, biologists, and computer scientists from the Universities
of Tübingen and Hohenheim, as well as the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research in
Frankfurt, fostering a collaborative and international research environment.
The project aims to unravel the dynamics of paleoenvironmental conditions and their relationship to
observed biodiversity at the Late Miocene fossil Hammerschmiede site (Hammerschmiede
Excavation). This will be achieved through pollen and microcharcoal analysis to reconstruct regional
and local vegetation and their taxonomic and functional plant diversity on long and short timescales,
to quantify fire frequencies and their impact on plant diversity and vegetation structure, and to
distinguishing signals of pristine and reworked palynomorphs to determine their taphonomical
impact on vegetation reconstructions.
The candidate will collaborate closely with colleagues studying other palaeobiological as well as
geochemical and sedimentological proxies at the Hammerschmiede site. Thus, this position offers
the opportunity to work at the interface of Earth and Life Sciences, contributing to a deeper
understanding of long-term geo-biosphere interactions in a changing world.
Applicants must hold a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Geosciences/Palaeontology and provide an
excellent understanding of pollen analysis, vegetation reconstructions and palaeoclimatology.
Experience in palynological laboratory work and pollen analysis is regarded beneficiary for this
ambitious project. Fluency in both spoken and written English is a prerequisite for communication
within our international working groups and the publication of results in international journals.
Knowledge of German is appreciated.
The University of Tübingen wishes to enhance the share of employed women in research and
teaching. Individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply and, having the same
occupational aptitude, will be preferred. The employment will be handled by the central
administration of the University of Tübingen.
Applications should include a letter of motivation, a CV, scans of academic transcripts, and contact
details of two potential academic referees. Please submit a single pdf (max 10 MB) to
bewerbung@geo.uni-tuebingen.de under the heading “Application: Your Name [FUN03_3]”no
later than the 1st of March 2026.
For more information please contact Madelaine Böhme (m.boehme@ifg.uni-tuebingen.de). Original flier here.