At the University of Göttingen, Department of Forest Entomology and Department of Forest Nature Conservation, there is a position as doctoral researcher to be filled. Starting date is 1 Dec 2026. The position is limited to 30 Nov 2030.

We are seeking a highly motivated person to conduct scientific research in the project „Environmental and physiological drivers of spring activity of moth communities in Central European forests“. In this project, we aim to study the effects of habitat features (e.g. forest structure) and abiotic factors (e.g. temperature) on overwintering processes and spring phenology of moths inhabiting Central European forest ecosystems. We want to understand the spatiotemporal occurrence of ecologically relevant species and to assess the effects of changing environmental conditions on communities.
We will use field data (obtained from trapping) and link them with environmental parameters to infer the effects of habitat conditions on moth activity. Eco-physiological experiments will be performed under controlled conditions with selected species to study the effects of temperature on terminating dormancy and energy budgets, as well as timing of spring flight. The results will allow to predict seasonal activity patterns of moth communities and improve our understanding of the underlying regulatory mechanisms.
 
Your tasks:
- Realization and coordination of field work in Central Germany
- Assessing the spring activity of moths in the context of environmental conditions
- Performing eco-physiological experiments in the laboratory to understand temperature-dependent processes underlying spring phenology of moths
- Publication of results in scientific journals and attendance at scientific conferences
 
Your profile:
- A Master’s degree in biology, ecology, forestry, agriculture or a related field
- Experience and interest in ecological/entomological experiments in the field and the lab
- Experience and interest in the identification of arthropods
- Experience in statistics and data analysis using R
- Fluent in English (German is a plus)
- Driver’s license class B
 
Please submit your application (as a single pdf file) including 1) a letter of motivation (1 page), 2) your CV including, if applicable, a list of publications and congress contributions, 3) a short summary of your Master’s thesis (1 page), and 4) relevant certificates as well as contact information of two references to http://obp.uni-goettingen.de/de-de/OBF/Index/76648 

For further information see https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/644546.html?details=76648

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