PHD POSITION: GENETIC DIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICAN PROTEAS The Plant Evolutionary Ecology group at the University of Tuebingen in Germany is offering a PhD position to work on genetic diversity of Protea (sugarbush) species, and its biological and environmental drivers, in the South African fynbos biome. Proteas are key species in one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots, and they are exceptionally beautiful. We plan to use a combination of molecular tools, quantitative genetics, and population genetic modelling, to understand genetic diversity in DNA sequence and phenotype. The project will be embedded in the new Cluster of Excellence TERRA "Terrestrial Geo-Biosphere Interactions in a Changing World" (www.terra-cluster.org), a large interdisciplinary research initiative linking the Universities of Tuebingen and Hohenheim with the Senckenberg Society in Frankfurt. Specifically, the project will be part of a team of four complementary PhD students working on biosphere-geosphere interactions and ecoevolutionary processes in proteas. There will be a close collaboration with the Leigh lab (https://deborahmleigh.weebly.com/) at Senckenberg, where the student will have a longer research stay. The PhD project will include field work in South Africa, and it will be supported by the TERRA Molecular Biodiversity Lab, and the TERRA Graduate School of Terrestrial Geo-Biosphere Interactions. Candidates interested in this position should hold an MSc with a background in evolutionary biology or populations genetics/genomics, and have a strong interest in studying genetic biodiversity. Previous experience with molecular lab work is a must, additional skills in bioinformatics and/or statistics are a plus. We are looking for a team player with good communication skills in English. Additional German language skills are welcome. The position is funded for 3.5 years and will be paid at E13 TV-L 65% (usual level for PhD contracts in Germany). The place of work will be Tuebingen. If you have more questions about the project or position, please write to Oliver Bossdorf (oliver.bossdorf@uni-tuebingen.de). The University of Tuebingen is committed to equity and diversity and actively promotes equal opportunities. Equally qualified candidates with disabilities will be given preference in the hiring process. To apply for this position, please send a letter of motivation and CV, together with contact details of two references and your certificates as a single pdf ( <10 MB) to bewerbung@geo.uni-tuebingen.de with the subject "Application: Your Name [FUN01_1]". The deadline for applications is January 26, 2026, or until the position is filled. Prof. Dr. Oliver Bossdorf University of Tuebingen Plant Evolutionary Ecology oliver.bossdorf@uni-tuebingen.de GROUP: www.uni-tuebingen.de/plantevoeco HERBARIUM: www.uni-tuebingen.de/herbarium PUBLICATIONS: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=hAPepaEAAAAJ "Bossdorf, Oliver" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)