PhD position on human-bear coexistence

PhD Position on Human-Bear Coexistence (Part-time, 65 %)

• Bewerbungsfrist: 20. Januar 2026
• Veröffentlichungsdatum: 18. Dezember 2025
• Eintrittstermin: 1. April 2026
• Arbeitsumfang: Part-time position (65 %)
• Kennziffer:

The Chair of Modelling of Social‑Ecological Systems at the University of Freiburg invites applications for a 3‑year PhD position on human‑bear coexistence as part of the international collaborative Biodiversa+ project “CoexHub”. The position is limited to 31. März 2029 and will be based at the recently established Chair of Modelling of Social‑Ecological Systems with Prof. Ana Stritih, including international collaborations with project partners in Slovenia, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain, as well as fieldwork in Slovenia.

The Biodiversa+ project “CoexHub” studies coexistence between people and brown bears in three European regions – the Central Apennines in Italy, Cantabrian Mountains in Spain, and Slovenia. As the ranges of large carnivores expand in human‑dominated landscapes, coexistence between humans and large carnivores is becoming an increasingly important challenge, shaped by diverse actors, interests, and perspectives. CoexHub addresses the challenge of coexistence using an integrated social‑ecological and institutional approach across case study areas spanning from regions with long histories of coexistence to areas where bear populations are only recently expanding. Within this project, you will focus on Slovenia, a country with a long history of coexistence with bears, high bear densities, and comparatively low levels of conflict, although facing recent challenges due to growing bear population and range expansion.

As part of the role you will conduct interviews and workshops with stakeholders to develop indicators and maps of coexistence potential, which can help guide decisions about conservation and management. You will also analyse past transformations of social‑ecological networks related to coexistence in order to identify infrastructures and institutions that enable or hinder coexistence. Through your research and engagement with practitioners and decision‑makers, you will contribute to developing pathways towards effective and balanced human‑bear coexistence in Europe.

You have a Master’s degree in environmental sciences, geography, environmental social sciences, or a similar field, and a strong interest in interdisciplinary research, linking ecology and social sciences, and in working with stakeholders. You have a good command of English (written and spoken). Knowledge of Slovenian is an advantage. You enjoy talking to people and ideally have some experience with conducting interviews and qualitative research. Experience working with R, GIS, and/or with network models is also an advantage.

Your application will consist of a letter of motivation, a CV, academic transcripts (non‑official copies are acceptable), and contact details of at least two academic references. Please send your application by the 20th of January through the online application system (not by email or post).

Bewerbung

Please send your application in English including supporting documents mentioned above citing the reference number by 20. Januar 2026 at the latest. Please send your application to the following address in written or electronic form:

Fakultät für Umwelt und Natürliche Ressourcen
Professur für Modellierung Sozial‑Ökologischer Systeme
Tennenbacherstr. 47
106 Freiburg

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Ana Stritih on the phone number +49 761 203 3726 or E‑Mail ‑freiburg.de.

Jetzt bewerben

Werden Sie Teil der Universität Freiburg, einer der renommiertesten und forschungsstärksten Universitäten Deutschlands – mit einer einzigartigen Vielfalt und Verschränkung von Fächern und Perspektiven in einer der beliebtesten Städte im Herzen Europas.