About the Position
The University of Bern invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in Palynology and Palaeoecology within the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) project CIVES – Assessing the environmental context of past urbanisation dynamics using sedimentary archives. Supervised by Prof. Willy Tinner, this one-year (extendable) role focuses on studying vegetational and land use dynamics in response to climate change and technological innovation, using sediment cores from Italy. The project explores early urbanisation in Greece, Italy, and Switzerland over the past 3,000 years, offering an interdisciplinary research environment that bridges ecology, environmental science, archaeology, and climate studies. The successful candidate will join a motivated international team at the Institute of Plant Sciences and the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research.
Position/Job Details
- Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate
- Institution: University of Bern
- Department: Institute of Plant Sciences & Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research
- Research Field: Palynology and Palaeoecology
- Location: Bern, Switzerland
- Number of Posts: 1
- Job Type: Full-time (Part-time possible, minimum 70%)
- Start Date (Anticipated): January 2026
- Working Hours: As per institutional norms
- Salary Range: CHF 80,000 – 105,000 per annum (100%)
- Required Degree/Diploma: PhD
Research Area
- Palynology and palaeoecology
- Vegetation and land-use dynamics
- Mediterranean vegetation ecology
- Climate change and environmental history
- Urbanisation and archaeological collaboration
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in Ecology, Environmental Sciences, or Earth Sciences
- Strong background in numerical analysis and optical microscopy
- Proven expertise in palynology and/or plant macrofossil analysis
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of Mediterranean vegetation ecology
- Publication record in international peer-reviewed journals
- Experience working collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams
- Knowledge of Italian language is advantageous
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct independent palynological and palaeoecological analyses
- Collaborate with PhD students and external research partners
- Integrate sedimentary data to study long-term vegetation dynamics
- Contribute to publications and presentations within the SNF CIVES project
Application Process
How to Apply:
Submit your complete application as one PDF file via email to Prof. Willy Tinner at willy.tinner@unibe.ch.
Required Documents:
- Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Academic transcripts and PhD diploma
- Contact information or reference letter from PhD supervisor
Important Dates
- Application Opens: October 2025
- Deadline: 28 November 2025
- Interview Date: To be announced
Useful Links
- University Website: University of Bern
- Institute Website: Institute of Plant Sciences
- Research Group Link: Palaeoecological Research Section
- Official Notification Link: Click here
- Apply Now: click here
Apply Now: Email Application – willy.tinner@unibe.ch
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