Doktorand in Leipzig bei German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv)

Reference number 157/2023

Doctoral researcher (m/f/d)

Founded in 1409, Leipzig University is one of Germany’s largest universities and a leader in research and

medical training. With around 30,000 students and more than 5000 members of staff across 14 faculties, it is

at the heart of the vibrant and outward-looking city of Leipzig. Leipzig University offers an innovative and

international working environment as well as an exciting range of career opportunities in research, teaching,

knowledge and technology transfer, infrastructure and administration.

The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig is a National

Research Centre funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Its central mission is to promote theory-

driven synthesis and data-driven theory in this emerging field. Located in the city of Leipzig, it is a Central

Institution of Leipzig University and jointly hosted by the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, the

Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ). More

Information about iDiv: www.idiv.de.

The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig seeks to fill the above

position 023.

The position is part of the DFG Research Unit FOR 5571 “PhytOakmeter: Using clonal oak phytometers to

unravel acclimation and adaptation mechanisms of long-lived forest tree holobionts to ecological variations

and climate change”. The project offers 10 positions for doctoral researchers, and 3 for postdoctoral

researchers, addressing various aspects (i) of the phenotypic plasticity of forest trees, (ii) about the interplay

of trees with their microbiome and soil nematodes, and (iii) about how these interactions may facilitate

acclimation (regulatory changes) and adaptation based on genetic changes of trees and/or their holobiont

partners (for more information about the Research Unit, visit https://www.uni-

marburg.de/en/fb17/phytoakmeter). The subproject SP7 investigates “The role of tree-nematode interactions

in the acclimation and adaptation of trees”.

This project will determine the role of soil nematode communities in modulating the acclimation and

adaptation (A&A) of drought- stressed DF159 oak clone trees and their associated microbiota. In three work

packages (WP), the doctoral researcher will combine taxonomic and molecular nematode monitoring

approaches with soil function (substrate-induced respiration (SIR) method, phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA)

analysis, and enzyme analysis) data to assess the direct and indirect effects of drought-induced alterations in

soil nematode communities on tree health and A&A by manipulating aboveground (WP1) and belowground

(WP2) herbivory in two different Ecotron facilities (iDiv Ecotron and Freiburg Ecotron), and the presence

and abundance of soil biota (WP3) in a plant-soil feedback experiment. In SP7, another three WPs will be

investigated by an additional doctoral researcher studying the role of abiotic factors and spatial scaling for

nematode communities (WP4-6) https://recruitingapp-5128.de.umantis.com/Vacancies/2735/Description/2.

These two doctoral candidates will closely collaborate and assist each other with lab and fieldwork. Both

doctoral researchers will further be fully integrated into the working group of the Experimental Interaction

Ecology at iDiv and the Environmental Microbiology Department (Microbial Interaction Ecology group) at

UFZ Leipzig.

About the position
• Fixed term of 4 years

• 65% of a full-time position

• Planned remuneration: salary group TV-L E13

• The place of work is Leipzig with iDiv as the main and UFZ Leipzig as secondary workplace

metabarcoding approaches) and soil ecosystem functions (microbial respiration, microbial biomass,

enzyme activity)

• Planning and execution of joint field samplings in Europe, as well as in the Ecotron facilities

• Setup and coordination of an own plant-soil feedback experiment (WP3) including the other partners

• Synthesis and analysis of datasets from different disciplines (molecular, taxonomic, functions, etc.)

• Participation in working group seminars, paper clubs, and the yDiv graduate school

Requirements
• Master’s or equivalent degree in a project-related field (e.g., ecology,