PhD researcher (m/f/x) in ECO-N graduate school: Policy Options for Biodiversity-Friendly Soil [...]

PhD researcher (m/f/x) in ECO-N graduate school: Policy Options for Biodiversity-Friendly Soil Management Decisions

Place of work: Leipzig, mobile work possible.

Working time: 75% (29.75h/week).

Contract limitations: limited contract / 3 years (extension by a fourth year is possible).

Salary: Remuneration according to the TVöD public-sector up to pay grade 13 including attractive public-sector social security benefits.

Contact

Your contact for any questions you may have about the job: Bartosz Bartkowski ( )

Your application

Please submit your application via our online portal with your cover letter, CV (please omit your photo, age, or marital status) and relevant attachments.

Diversity and Inclusion

The UFZ has a strong commitment to diversity and actively supports equal opportunities for all employees regardless of their origin, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity. We look forward to applications from people who are open‑minded and enjoy working in diverse teams.

The UFZ

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long‑term protection of our natural resources.

The job

The research training group Economics of Connected Natural Commons: Atmosphere and Biodiversity (ECO‑N), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) since 2024, involves Leipzig University, the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) as well as the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‑Jena‑Leipzig.

ECO‑N combines interdisciplinary research on how to sustainably use and conserve natural commons such as biodiverse forests, fertile soils, regional climate, or clean urban air with a rigorous course programme providing disciplinary and interdisciplinary competencies. A total of approximately 30 early‑career researchers and established researchers from economics, meteorology, and biology collaborate within ECO‑N. A welcome week, annual retreats, and a continuous lecture series with international guests, as well as synthesis activities, constitute the collaborative, fair and inclusive working environment in the ECO‑N research training group.

The PhD position (m/f/x) "Policy Options for Biodiversity‑Friendly Soil Management Decisions" will investigate whether and how farmers consider soil biodiversity in their land‑use decisions and which policy options are effective in aligning these decisions with societal objectives. Empirical methods (e.g. surveys or interviews) and/or agent‑based modelling shall be used to address these overarching questions. For more details on the project and this position as well as other positions within this cohort, see the ECO‑N website: . The online recruitment symposium will take place on 24/25 March 2026.

Your tasks

• Quantitative research on sustainable use of natural commons as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Writing and publishing of scientific papers in peer‑reviewed journals; presentation of own research at national and international conferences
• Participation in the disciplinary doctoral programmes (in Economics, Meteorology or Integrative Biodiversity Research), and in the advanced training modules of the research training group
• Contributing to the doctoral seminars and events of the research training group
• Opportunity of contributing to synthesis working groups as part of the research training group

We offer

• Excellent supervision and optimal professional and interdisciplinary qualification through our HIGRADE graduate programme
• The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application
• The opportunity to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a wide range of perspectives
• First class integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
• Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
• A wide range of options for balancing care responsibilities and work through our family office
• Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the ‘International Office’
• Special annual payment, capital‑forming benefits and subsidised Deutschland‑Job‑Ticket
• A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity

Your profile

• Strong interest in sustainable use and conservation of natural commons
• Very good Master’s degree or equivalent (completed or close to completion), in economics, agricultural economics, human geography, environmental/cognitive/social psychology, (rural) sociology or a related discipline
• Profound knowledge in quantitative research methods such as statistics, econometrics and/or modelling
• Experience with surveys and/or behavioural experiments and/or agent‑based modelling and/or bioeconomic modelling is beneficial
• Fluent English communication skills (speaking and writing)
• Fluent German communication skills (speaking and writing) are beneficial
• Team‑orientation and openness for interdisciplinary and international collaboration

Required documents

• Cover letter (in English) describing your motivation for doing a PhD within ECO‑N, your research interests and your relevant experience
• Digital copy of Master’s certificate and transcript of records
• PDF of one research paper you have written (e.g. the Master thesis, the Bachelor thesis, or a seminar paper)

Please note that external consultants will also be involved in the selection process for this position alongside UFZ employees.