Postdoc (f/m/x) in Ecological Integrity Assessment (Statistical Modelling)
What: Postdoc position
Where: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Department of Computational Landscape Ecology, Leipzig
Start: 01.09.2026
Application deadline: 28.06.2026
This position aims to advance assessments of ecological integrity by contributing to the development of a novel approach rooted in community ecology. Key targets will be to establish an approach that (i) focuses on ecosystem functionality, (ii) operates without the definition of reference states and (iii) is applicable across ecosystem types. A core part of your work will be to advance and test conceptual frameworks using biodiversity, trait and phylogenetic datasets from aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

 You will be part of an interdisciplinarity team working on ecological integrity assessments across multiple departments at Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ. The core team at the UFZ will be supported by a larger synthesis group (with researchers from University College London, Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Bristol University, and University of Giessen) who will assist in conceptual development and provide data from a range of different ecosystem types.
 An important feature of this project is its strong linkages to applied conservation work and policy design. In the second year of the project, we will hence organize a workshop that interlinks researchers with local and national conservation practitioners and environmental policy professionals. Key targets of this workshop will be to evaluate potential applications of developed approaches and reflect on conservation values that are implicitly intertwined with their implementation.
Your tasks
- Statistical modelling: Analyses of long-term time-series and spatial datasets of community composition, linking community to trait and phylogenetic data
- Data curation: Quality control of individual datasets, linking and comparing different datasets
- Coordination with project partners: Taking over communication task with scientific and non-scientific project partners
We offer
- An international and welcoming research environment at the UFZ in Leipzig, a city widely considered for its high living quality and its social and cultural diversity
- A wide range of options for balancing care responsibilities and work through our family office
- The option to dedicate part of the work time for follow up grant applications 
- A range of possibilities to engage in career development and training programmes, including the option to develop teaching skills through the support of selected university courses
- Excellent computational research infrastructure and data management support 
- 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
Your profile
- Completed Doctorate in ecology, environmental, or a closely related field in the natural or social sciences
- Good understanding of ecological theory, especially in community ecology
- Strong knowledge of statistical, data-driven analyses and programming skills, preferably in R or Python
- Willingness to contribute to the management of the research network supporting this project
- Ability to work in a team, excellent communication skills, and strong scientific writing skills
- Very good command of English
Your contact for any questions you may have about the job: alfred.burian@ufz.de, julia.pasqualini@ufz.de
Postdoc (f/m/x) in Ecological Integrity Assessment (Statistical Modelling) - https://recruitingapp-5128.de.umantis.com/Vacancies/3403/Description/2

(to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to
evoldir@evoldir.net)