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
Grasslands cover around 40% of the terrestrial earth surface. They fulfill important ecosystem functions and services. In Central Europe, grasslands are predominantly anthropogenic and differ largely in their plant composition depending on the management intensity. These differences may lead to contrasting resistance against colonization by new plant species. Thus, we want to investigate in a realistic mesocosm experiment in the greenhouse the early establishment of colonizing species in resident grassland communities typical of different land use intensities. We also want to compare the performance of the colonizers by considering numerous species covering different functional groups and life-cycle strategies. Plant functional traits will be measured as they may also explain the performance of colonizers.
Your tasks
You will plan and conduct a mesocosm experiment in a greenhouse to better understand the early establishment of various colonizing species into mesocosms consisting of typical grassland species of intensively and extensively used grasslands. You will collect and analyze the data. Finally, you will present your results in presentations and your thesis. Further collaborations on the topic are possible. The experiment is scheduled for the winter term of 2025/26 and will be supervised at the site in Halle (Saale).
We offer
- Excellent supervision that supports your personal and professional development
- Exciting insights into the work of a leading research institute
- The chance to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a wide range of perspectives
- The opportunity to contribute and actively shape your own ideas and impulses right from the start
- Modern technical equipment and IT service to optimally support your work
Your profile
- BSc in biology, ecology, environmental sciences, or related disciplines.
- Knowledge of statistics and R
- High motivation to conduct the experiment from start to finish
- Strong English language skills
- Interest in eventually publishing the results and being associated with the research of a PhD student