Professor in Plant Population Ecology

Professor in Plant Population Ecology,
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor or Open Rank
(80-100 %)

The Department of Biology at the University of Bern invites applications to lead the re-search division of Plant Population Ecology within the Institute of Plant Sciences (IPS). We aim to fill the position at the level of Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, but in exceptional cases related to diversity and excellence, an appointment as Associate Professor or Full Professor can also be considered. We are looking for applications from candidates with an outstanding research record in plant population ecology. The successful candidate will develop an internationally recognised research program on understanding plant populations. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, evolutionary ecology, life history strategies, agro-ecology, forest ecology, population genetics, and invasive species. We are looking for candidates who use modern experimental and empirical approaches, potentially, but not necessarily, in combination with theoretical approaches. The successful candidate should complement the current scientific strengths and methods of the Institute of Plant Sciences.

The candidate should have a doctorate in a relevant field, several years of postdoctoral and teaching expertise and experience in successfully obtaining external funding. They should have an interest in establishing an active research group, teaching, mentoring early-career researchers, fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, and in collaborating with other researchers of the institute, the department and beyond. The new faculty member will have responsibility for teaching in the field of plant ecology and population ecology at undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate teaching should be in German in the long run, while graduate teaching is in English.

The advertised position includes the professor's salary at 80-100% employment level, a starting package, and continual core funding for personnel and consumables. The University of Bern has a clear set of guidelines for promotion to tenure after four to six years in the position. The IPS supports flexible working conditions and part-time employment and welcomes applications by job sharing partnerships (see job sharing guidelines).

The IPS offers a vibrant and interdisciplinary research environment covering all aspects of plant science from molecules to ecosystems. It has currently six divisions led by professors, and it hosts lecturers, non-tenure track group leaders and a large international postdoc and PhD student cohort.
The IPS is one of three institutes of the Department of Biology at the University of Bern and is involved in teaching on the BSc in Biology and in four MSc Programs (Ecology and Evolution, Molecular Life Sciences, Climate Sciences, Bioinformatics).