PhD Position in River Restoration Effects on Caddisfly Biodiversity, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Summary

The University of Duisburg-Essen invites applications for a doctoral researcher position in the Aquatic Ecology group, part of the Centre for Water and Environmental Research. The 36‑month, 65% full‑time role (starting 1 January 2027) is funded by an external project on the restoration of the River Hase. The researcher will study how river restoration influences biodiversity, focusing on caddisflies, and will conduct field surveys, organism identification, and data analysis using R and QGIS. The position offers a secure public‑sector contract (EG 13 TV‑L), a pathway to a doctorate, extensive training, flexible working hours, and a range of university benefits.

Key Facts

Employer	University of Duisburg-Essen
Department	Faculty of Biology, Aquatic Ecology
Position Type	PhD
Discipline	Biology
Research Area	Aquatic Ecology
Degree Required	University degree in biology, biodiversity or a comparable subject
Experience	Experience in fieldwork, ecological data analysis, and entomology (Trichoptera)
Funding	Externally funded project on River Hase restoration
Contract Duration	36 month
Deadline	2026-11-26
Required Documents	cover letter, CV, supporting documents
Employer Address	Forsthausweg 2 (Duisburg campus); Universitätsstraße 2 (Essen campus), 47057 (Duisburg); 45141 (Essen), North Rhine-Westphalia
Employer Contact	telephone +49 201 187-33084, email [email protected]

About the Project

The project investigates the ecological impact of restoring the River Hase, a tributary of the River Ems, by examining changes in biodiversity within a lowland catchment. Emphasis is placed on caddisfly (Trichoptera) communities, assessing how the active introduction of organisms and habitat modifications affect macroinvertebrate assemblages and overall ecosystem health.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate effects of river restoration on biodiversity, focusing on caddisflies
• Conduct fieldwork surveying benthic macroinvertebrates, adult insects and environmental variables
• Identify collected organisms using morphological characteristics
• Contribute to design of investigations
• Analyze data using R and QGIS
• Publish results with project team
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary research team

Required Skills

• Sound knowledge of river ecology and running‑water biological communities
• Entomological knowledge of Trichoptera (larvae and adults)
• Experience in fieldwork and ecological data collection
• Proficiency in R (and preferably QGIS or ArcGIS)
• Scientific writing ability
• Ability to work effectively in a larger team

Who Should Apply

Candidates holding a university degree in biology, biodiversity or a comparable subject, with strong knowledge of river ecology, experience in fieldwork, entomological expertise (especially Trichoptera), proficiency in R (and preferably QGIS/ArcGIS), and good scientific writing skills are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Secure public‑sector position with reliable employment conditions
• Opportunity to pursue a doctorate with extensive support services
• Wide range of training and professional development opportunities
• Access to campus canteens and cafeterias
• Corporate Benefits discounts
• Family‑friendly services such as childcare advice
• Excellent location with good public transport and free parking
• Flexible working hours and option to work from home
• 30 days annual leave plus additional days on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
• Fair remuneration under TV‑L, including annual special payment and supplementary occupational pension
• Sports and health programmes, including university sports

About the Employer

The University of Duisburg‑Essen’s Faculty of Biology, Aquatic Ecology is one of Germany’s largest aquatic science research groups and belongs to the Centre for Water and Environmental Research, bringing together diverse water‑related disciplines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary range?

EG 13 TV-L (gross 38,560 € – 54,807,89 €).

When does the position start?

01 January 2027.

How long is the contract?

36 months.