Professor position in the Department of Plant Ecology

Job description

We are seeking a professor of plant ecology in the broadest sense, who addresses all ecological scales, from individuals, populations, or communities to ecosystems or landscapes. We welcome applicants who employ a variety of approaches—such as laboratory or field experiments, observational studies at any spatial or temporal scale, ecoinformatics, phylogenetics, or modeling—to investigate any aspects of plant ecology, potentially including its evolution and/or conservation. Applicants must possess outstanding scientific qualifications in the field of plant ecology, demonstrated by high-quality publications and a successful track record in securing external funding.

This professorship will be situated at the intersection of three key research areas within the department and the University of Bremen as a whole (see below). These areas represent both established strengths and new priorities and offer excellent opportunities for collaboration. The applicant’s potential to contribute to and collaborate on at least one, and ideally several, of these topics will be a decisive factor in the selection process: 

1) Collaboration within the Institute of Ecology: The applicant should demonstrate strong potential for collaboration with the Institute of Ecology and other members of Department 2. In particular, we are increasingly focusing on various dimensions of insect ecology, and the ideal candidate should demonstrate a strong interest in contributing to research on plant-arthropod interactions and in fostering opportunities for innovative and integrative collaboration.

2) New focus on plant responses to climate change: Division 2 is also hiring professors in molecular botany and general microbiology whose shared research focus is on plant responses to climate change. The ideal candidate should be willing to collaborate with these and other research groups to understand responses to climate change and associated stressors across multiple organizational levels.

3) Promoting sustainability and biodiversity initiatives at the University of Bremen: The University has set itself the goal of improving its academic structures and fostering a culture of sustainability through initiatives such as “Bremen Goes Sustainable” (https://www.uni-bremen.de/bregos). The ideal candidate should be able to support this mission through research, teaching, or public engagement and contribute to projects in the field of biodiversity and sustainability within the university or in collaboration with government agencies and NGOs. Ideas for collaboration within the University of Bremen’s top-tier departments (https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/research/research-profile/high-profile-areas) are advantageous.

In the area of teaching, the future incumbent is expected to represent the field of ecologically oriented botany in the German-language Bachelor’s program in Biology (including the Ecology specialization) as well as in the international, English-language Master’s program in Ecology, and may also be asked to teach courses in the Bachelor’s program in Natural Sciences for Sustainability. The ability to teach courses in German and/or English is therefore essential; any lack of proficiency in one of these languages should be addressed within two years at the latest. Applicants must have substantial teaching experience and be willing to develop innovative teaching programs in the context of research-based learning and other modern teaching methods. They should also be willing to supervise undergraduate and graduate students in ecological research.

Requirements

The requirements for appointment include a university degree in biology or a related field, an outstanding doctoral degree, a habilitation or equivalent academic achievements, teaching experience, pedagogical aptitude, and diversity competence. The appointment is made in accordance with § 18 BremHG and § 116 BremBG.

General Information

Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching. This has been the hallmark of the University of Bremen since its founding 50 years ago. The university’s profile is based on a broad spectrum of disciplines, which are preserved in their diversity so that new connections and research questions can emerge. This leads to cutting-edge research, both within interdisciplinary research networks and at the individual level. The university’s teaching profile is consistently geared toward research-based learning. Our Bremen spirit is reflected in our support for new ideas and change, a cooperative community, mutual respect and appreciation, and flat hierarchies.

Through its research and educational profile, the University of Bremen assumes responsibility in the region, on the continent, and around the world. The UN Sustainable Development Goals and climate justice in research and teaching are central to this. Around 23,000 people study, teach, conduct research, and work on our international campus. As one of Europe’s leading research universities and a member of the European university network YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe), it is developing a new model for European higher education together with nine other universities.

The University of Bremen offers a wide range of services to support newly hired staff, such as the Welcome Center, childcare, and the Dual Career Program, supplemented by staff development and continuing education programs. It is committed to implementing its diversity strategy at all levels. The university is family-friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international university. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity. We intend to increase the proportion of women in academia and in leadership positions and therefore expressly encourage female researchers to apply. Disabled applicants will be given priority if their professional and personal qualifications are essentially the same. We place great value on demonstrated expertise in addressing gender and diversity dimensions in research, teaching, and human resources management.

Please send us your application, including (1) a brief cover letter explaining your interest in this position and your qualifications for it, (2) a CV—including a list of your publications with up to five highlighted key publications, (3) an overview of projects and external funding, (4) a research proposal outlining your plans for the development and integration of your research within Department 2 (max. 2 pages), and (5) a teaching proposal outlining your previous teaching experience, the learning formats you intend to use, and your approach to promoting diversity in teaching, research, and the advancement of early-career researchers (max. 2 pages). 

Please send your application as a single PDF file, quoting reference number <P305/26>, by June 30, 2026, to Prof. Dr. Christian Wild, Dean of the Department of Biology and Chemistry (FB 2), bewerbung-dekanfb2uni-bremen.de

The Dean is also available for an initial telephone conversation at 0421 218-63367. We assure you of confidentiality.

Detailed information on the hiring process can be found on the university’s website at www.uni-bremen.de/berufungsverfahren

For higher education obtained outside the EU, please submit a German or English translation along with an evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). Alternatively, please send us an extract from the database for the recognition and evaluation of foreign educational qualifications (ANABIN).

Please note that no photos are to be attached to the application documents.

Please submit only copies (not original documents), as we are unable to return them. Once the selection process has been completed, your application documents will be retained in accordance with legal requirements and subsequently destroyed.