Postdoctoral researcher in Forest Sciences – open topic (all genders welcome)

Postdoctoral Researcher in Forest Sciences – Open Topic (All Genders Welcome)

Postdoctoral researcher in Forest Sciences – open topic (all genders welcome)

About the position: The Forst‑Talent Program, funded by the Eva Mayr‑Stihl Foundation, is part of the faculty’s strategy to systematically support junior researchers and develop the faculty’s strategic focus. It offers a fully‑funded three‑year position (TV‑L E13, 100 %) to prepare and submit a funding proposal for either an ERC grant or the Emmy Noether programme. If a grant is awarded and the project is carried out in Göttingen, the faculty commits to offer a permanent TV‑L E14 position following the project, provided that an interim evaluation after three years of the ERC / Emmy Noether project is positive. The position is ideal for an excellent junior scientist who is developing a research project in forest sciences and plans to prepare an ERC or Emmy Noether proposal in the next years. It provides access to state‑of‑the‑art technical infrastructure, a collaborative research environment, broad networks, and opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

What We Offer

• A fully funded three‑year position (TV‑L E13, 100 %) with flexibility to work on your funding proposal and complement your scientific profile.
• An additional annual budget for conferences, publications, or preliminary experiments.
• Integration into a vibrant, diverse, and highly collaborative research environment at the Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology.
• Integration into one of the faculty’s departments that fosters disciplinary exchange and provides administrative and technical support, as well as state‑of‑the‑art facilities and equipment.
• Extensive networking and collaboration opportunities within the faculty and beyond, in research centres such as the Campus Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL) and the Campus Institute for Data Science (CIDAS).
• Opportunities to complement your academic profile by collaborating with leading scientists, participating in joint research activities, lecture series, and teaching and (PhD) supervision.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and a diverse and inclusive work environment with a strong commitment to diversity and equity.

Candidate Profile / Requirements

• Internationally experienced researcher with a strong research profile and an outstanding scientific record.
• Completed a Master’s degree and hold a PhD in a field relevant to forest sciences.
• Eligible to apply for an ERC Starting Grant or the Emmy Noether Programme after two years (i.e., graduated between 1 and 7 years ago).
• Ability to convincingly demonstrate how previous work and future research advance forest sciences and contribute to solutions for current and future challenges in forests.
• Strong research profile and excellent publication record of creative and innovative papers.
• Experience in applying for third‑party funding (advantageous).
• Demonstrated scientific creativity and innovation in a pioneering research proposal.

Application Process

Your application should be compiled into one PDF and must include the following documents in this order: a letter of motivation (1–2 pages), CV (including names of two reference contacts, lists of publications and teaching), a three‑page research concept for the planned funding proposal and suggestions for potential host(s) at the faculty, and certificates and transcripts.

For any questions on the advertised position, please contact our dean of research, Prof. Dr. Alexander Knohl, at with subject “Forst‑Talent Fellowships”.

Short‑listed candidates will be invited to a scientific symposium where they will present their scientific background and planned research, and how they will integrate into and complement the forestry research at our faculty. The symposium is planned for September 9.

Selection criteria focus on scientific creativity and excellence (publications, innovative research project, prospects for a successful proposal) and the potential to strategically complement the forestry research landscape in Göttingen and strengthen forest sciences in Germany.