Job advertisement

Vacancy ID: 165/2026
Closing date: 2026-07-14

The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in the profile areas Light – Life – Liberty, which provide pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.

The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig is a world-leading centre for biodiversity science and focuses on understanding biodiversity on our planet. Founded in 2012 with funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG), iDiv has since grown to over 300 employees and 170 members. iDiv is largely funded by the three central German states of Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Saxony. Their three universities in Halle, Jena and Leipzig operate the research centre in cooperation with the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ. More information about iDiv:.

In the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, we are looking for a

PhD student (m/f/d) in extinction risk modelling

commencing on 15 September 2026 or at the earliest opportunity thereafter.

We offer a 65% position (26 hours per week) on a fixed-term basis for 3 years. Workplace will be at iDiv in Leipzig.

The position will be part of the research group “Biodiversity in the Anthropocene (BinA)”. Our research focusses on large-scale biodiversity patterns of vertebrate species and higher taxa in time and space. We integrate datasets and approaches from macroecology, macroevolution, biogeography, and palaeontology, and aim to understand how biodiversity is distributed across the world today, how it has originated and changed through geological history, and how we can predict future biodiversity patterns under global change.

The position is part of the project “ExChange: Assessing species extinction risk from climate change in the past, present, and future”, funded by the German Research Foundation DFG, which aims to enhance understanding of species’ extinction risk from climate change in large-bodied terrestrial mammals. We will build on empirical analyses of the fossil record, present-day extinction risk, and extensive datasets of species’ traits to assess consistency and predictability of extinction through time. As part of a dynamic and international team in Leipzig and in cooperation with project partners at the University of Potsdam (Prof. Damaris Zurell and team), you will contribute to interdisciplinary research that links paleoecology, conservation biology, and theoretical ecology to inform solutions for the ongoing extinction crisis.

Your responsibilities:

• You develop trait-based macroecological research that models extinction of mammalian species in the fossil record and extinction risk in the present and future, based on the project proposal funded by the German Research Foundation DFG
• You closely work with project partners who focus on the drivers of population decline and geographic range changes to assist in developing joint conceptual and modelling frameworks for extinction risk
• You handle ecological databases with many species and their traits, utilizing computer code in the R computing environment to run statistical analyses and models, e.g. estimation of extinction rates in the fossil record, phylogenetic comparative methods
• You conduct scientific work that qualifies you for a PhD degree in biology, including publications of scientific papers in international peer-reviewed journals
• You present your research at national and international meetings and conferences

Your profile:

• Successfully completed university degree (Masters or equivalent) with a focus on organismic biology, ideally an MSc in zoology, ecology, palaeontology, or a related discipline (for details please see application information at the end of this advert)
• Good knowledge of ecological and evolutionary concepts and systems, e.g. species extinction, conservation biology, trait-based ecology; experience in mammalian biology will be of advantage
• Advanced experience in a programming language (ideally R) and basic quantitative and statistical expertise (e.g. linear models, PCA); more advanced statistical experience will be of advantage, e.g. phylogenetic comparative models, fossil diversity analyses, extinction or diversification rates
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English

Are you hesitating because you don't meet one or some of our requirements? Please do not hesitate to apply and give us a chance to get to know you. You are welcome to contact Prof. Susanne Fritz () in case of questions.

We offer:

• An intellectually stimulating, independent and varied scientific activity with creative freedom
• An international, English-speaking research environment with regular integrative group activities and a collaborative, supportive atmosphere
• The opportunity to participate in our targeted iDiv doctoral training program and the University of Jena graduate academy, which offer workshops, coaching, mentoring and networking events for PhD students
• A modern, family-friendly working environment with attractive working conditions (flexible working hours, mobile work)
• Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) up to salary scale E13 — depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications—, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement
• 30 days of vacation per calendar year plus two days off on December 24 and 31

The advertised position is offered as a fixed-term position for a maximum of 3 years.

Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

Are you eager to work for us? Then apply by 14.07.2026 using our online form. Please upload a single PDF file containing your motivation letter (max. 2 pages), your CV, an abstract of your Master’s thesis (or equivalent degree), the contact details of two persons who are willing to act as a reference, and your relevant certificates. If you cannot supply a certificate for your Master (or equivalent) degree yet, please provide i) a letter from your supervisor indicating the date of thesis submission and the (probable) mark, ii) a current transcript of records from your university that shows your completed classes in your study program, and iii) your Bachelors certificate (or equivalent). Please note that we do not expect you to upload a photo in the online form.

For further information for applicants and the information on the collection of personal data, please refer to