At UniBE, you will benefit from the esteemed reputation of a long-standing institution recognized around the globe.
Latest start date: July 1, 2026
This position is fixed-term.
Institute of Plant Sciences
How did Europe's temperate forests withstand the harshest climatic period of the Last Ice Age? Where were the last refuges of temperate flora when ice sheets and permafrost covered much of the continent? How quickly did temperate plant species expand in response to subsequent climate warming? What can these ancient survival strategies teach us about the future of ecosystems facing rapid climate change?
We invite applications for a 4-year PhD student position within the interdisciplinary Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) funded project ECO-ICE, based at the Institute of Plant Sciences and Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of Bern, Switzerland. This project aims to address these pressing questions.
As a PhD student, you will delve into ancient ecosystems using sedimentary palaeoecological approaches. Your work will directly contribute to reconstructing past vegetation communities and uncovering the survival of temperate species in Europe during the Last Glacial Maximum, approximately 20,000 years ago. You will assess the spread of temperate species from their refugia during subsequent warming and study the implications of these findings for future ecosystem and species dynamics in a warmer world.
Your responsibilities will include retrieving lake sediment cores during field campaigns across Europe. The methods employed will encompass palynology, macrofossils, radiocarbon dating, XRF, and other palaeoecological techniques to achieve holistic palaeoecological reconstructions. This interdisciplinary SNSF project involves collaboration with other PhD students and postdoctoral researchers specializing in palaeoclimatology, palaeogenomics, and dynamic modelling at the University of Bern and the University of Basel. You will also have the opportunity to present your research at international conferences, publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and contribute to science communication and outreach.
We are seeking curious, highly motivated, and collaborative early-career scientists excited to work at the intersection of ecology, palaeoecology, and climate sciences. To qualify, you should hold a Master of Science degree (MSc) in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Climate Sciences, Geology, Geography, or a related discipline. You must possess strong familiarity with European plant species, vegetation ecology, sediment analysis, palynology, charcoal analysis, and/or plant macrofossil analysis. Proficiency in statistical and numerical methods is necessary. Experience in writing scientific articles, good organizational skills, and effective communication in English are preferred.
Join an exciting research environment within a vibrant, international team located in a beautiful area close to the Botanical Garden in Bern, Switzerland's capital. Bern offers proximity to the Alps and excellent connectivity to other European cities. You will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Climate Sciences, which provides interdisciplinary training and transferable skills courses. Employment conditions will adhere to SNSF salary guidelines.
The University of Bern provides a dynamic work environment that actively promotes development, diversity, and equal opportunities. Explore what makes us unique as an employer and how you can flourish here.
To apply, please submit your application online using the form below. Please ensure your application matches the job profile, as only applications that do will be considered.
For inquiries regarding the position, contact: willy.tinner@unibe.ch
For any questions regarding the application process, please reach out to: willy.tinner@unibe.ch
Location : Bern
Country : Switzerland