PhD Position (m/f/d) in Ecophysiology / Forest ecology (E13, 65%)

07.01.2025, Wissenschaftliches Personal

The Plant Ecophysiology Unit of the TUM School of Life Sciences is looking for a PhD student to start on 1 March 2025 (or later). The aim is to improve our understanding of drought mortality in mature temperate forest trees.

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is one of the best universities in Europe. It is characterised by excellence
in research and teaching, interdisciplinarity and talent promotion. The Plant Ecophysiology Unit of the TUM School
of Life Sciences is looking for a PhD student to start on 1 March 2025 (or later). The aim is to improve our understanding
of drought mortality in mature temperate forest trees. The position (36 months, funded by the German
Research Foundation) is embedded in a long-term drought study, the Kranzberg Forest Roof Project (KROOF), with
lively interactions with national and international partners from different disciplines.
Your tasks
The main objective of this PhD project is to investigate the ecophysiological and morphological responses of mature
beech and spruce to experimentally induced drought. Your task will be to elucidate key ecophysiological processes
(e.g. xylem sap flow, stomatal conductance, resource allocation between mycorrhiza and tree) and morphological
traits (e.g. leaf area, root morphology) and to investigate early signs of drought-induced tree mortality. Particular
emphasis will be placed on water fluxes along the soil-tree-atmosphere continuum and the resilience functionality of
belowground root-mycorrhiza interactions under severe drought. Of particular interest is the extent to which past
acclimation to extreme drought has weakened or hardened trees in the face of renewed drought. You will use a
variety of methodological approaches, including gas exchange, tree and soil water potential, stable isotope labelling,
xylem sap flow as well as soil, mycorrhizal and anatomical analyses.
Your profile
We are looking for a dynamic, reliable and highly motivated candidate with a Master's degree in Biology, Ecology,
Forestry, or related disciplines, who enjoys interdisciplinary work in an international team. Willingness to work in the
field, experience with ecophysiological methods and good English skills are required. You should have a strong
interest in process-oriented research in plant physiology/plant ecology. Practical experience in field work, statistical
data analysis (R), knowledge of German and a driver's licence are advantageous.
How to apply
Please send your application with a letter of motivation, a brief description of your research experience, your CV,
and the contact details of two references as a single pdf file (KROOF_Name_FirstName.pdf) to Prof. Dr Thorsten
Grams (grams@tum.de). The deadline for applications is 20 January 2025. If you have any questions, please do
not hesitate to contact us.
Technische Universität München
Professur für Land Surface-Atmosphere Interactions, AG Ecophysiology of Plants
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Grams
Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
Tel. +49 8161 714579
https://www.lss.ls.tum.de/en/lsai/about-us/
TUM is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified people of all gender are encouraged to apply. We strive to increase the proportion of women, so
applications from women are especially welcome. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference, if they essentially have the same qualifications.
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Kontakt: grams@tum.de

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