Postdoctoral Researcher in Ecological Spatial Modelling of Coastal Metacommunities

The University of Oldenburg is seeking to fill the following position:

Paygrade

E13 TV-L

Working Hours

100% (suitable for part-time)

Institution

Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM) (School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences)

Location

Oldenburg (Oldb)

Application Deadline

11.10.2026

First day of work

01.01.2027

Limited

for 3 years

About us

The ICBM is an interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to fundamental and applied marine science. More than 20 research groups - spanning chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematical modelling - collaborate to understand the functioning environmental systems.

The position is based in the Mathematical Modelling research group led by Prof. Dr. Bernd Blasius and is embedded within the UTOPIA project (Understanding Trait composition Of coastal meta-communities: Processes and Interactions Across organism groups). A joint initiative between the ICBM at the University of Oldenburg and the University of Groningen, the project closely integrates empirical data analysis in Groningen with mathematical modelling of spatial ecological systems in Oldenburg.

Your tasks

You will investigate the mechanisms driving mismatches between environmentally expected and observed community composition. Specifically, you will develop and analyse numerical models of spatially structured ecosystems to evaluate how spatial connectivity, dispersal, directional transport, and temporal disturbances shape metacommunity dynamics. A central goal is quantifying community–environment lags and determining how rapidly communities respond to environmental change, with an empirical focus on Wadden Sea metacommunities in close collaboration with our project partners in Groningen

Your profile

Qualifying academic university degree (Master or Diploma (not of a University of Applied Sciences)) and a PhD in in theoretical ecology, physics, applied mathematics, data science, or a related field. Experience in mathematical modelling of spatial systems and time-series analysis is essential. Knowledge of ecological concepts and marine ecology, particularly plankton ecology, is desirable. Applicants should be fluent in written and spoken English, have strong programming skills (e.g., Python, Julia, Matlab) and show a strong interest in multidisciplinary teamwork.

Our standards

The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to § 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.

Contact

For further information regarding this position, please contact Prof. Dr. Bernd Blasius ().

Apply now

• Please send your application via e-mail by 11.10.2026 to
• Applications, including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and qualifying documents (final degree records), should be submitted as a single pdf file to Prof. Dr. Bernd Blasius.

Benefits at University of Oldenburg

30 days vacation

Secure remuneration according to collective agreement

• Company pension scheme
• Further education opportunities
• Flexible working hours
• Health management
• Remote working
• Compatibility of career and family
• Support with childcare
• University Sports Centre
• Certificate Bicycle-friendly employer
• Corporate Benefits
• Back to list

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