"Professor in Plant Population Ecology, Tenure-Track Assistant Professor or Open Rank"

The Department of Biology at the University of Bern invites applications to lead the research 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 post-doc 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).

The IPS provides research facilities and supports funding for research staff. Collaborations with the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, the Wyss Academy for Nature, the Center for Development and Environment and other University structures are encouraged.

The University of Bern supports the Better Science Initiative, is an equal opportunity employer and has set the aim to increase the number of women and all underrepresented groups in leadership positions. The University of Bern is committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion among students, staff, and faculty and strongly encourages applications from women and all underrepresented groups.

Applications should include a motivation letter, a CV with funding history, a full publication list, a two-page statement on future research and teaching interests, a maximum one-page statement outlining the candidate's track record and/or plans on promoting and facilitating students and scientists of underrepresented groups, and the filled-in questionnaire https://www.ips.unibe.ch/questionnaire/.

The position will be open from 01.08.2027.

Applications should be sent as a single pdf document to applications.natdek@unibe.ch (Dekanat der Phil.-nat. Fakultät, Universität Bern, Sidlerstr. 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland). Deadline for application is 23.01.2026.

For further enquiries, please contact eric.allan@unibe.ch