3 years Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mycology/Forest Ecology at University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna

Position Overview

Applications are invited for a postdoc position in the Institute of Silviculture at BOKU Vienna to join an innovative transdisciplinary project on deadwood decomposition dynamics and its terrestrial ecological drivers. This is the ultimate chance to dive into the intersection of climate change, forest management practices, fungal communities, and saproxylic insects, and how they affect carbon cycling processes.

Why This Research Matters:

• Deadwood decay is an important but poorly quantified component of forest carbon budgets.
• Climate change is changing decay rates, with cascading impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• The findings will assist with sustainable forest management and climate mitigation efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement field experiments to study deadwood decay across climatic gradients.
• Conduct taxonomic surveys of fungi and insects using wood sampling and trapping techniques.
• Quantify climate, forest management, and species interactions in decay processes through data analysis.
• Write high impact papers from peer-reviewed journals, and Presentations in international conferences
• Work alongside a diverse team of ecologists, mycologists, and entomologists.
• Support project management, including engagement with stakeholders and funders.

Innovative Approaches:

• Integration of molecular techniques (e.g., DNA metabarcoding) for fungal and insect identification.
• Use of ecosystem models to predict decay rates under future climate scenarios.
• Application of advanced statistics (e.g., machine learning) to analyze complex ecological datasets.

Position Details

• Employment Type: Part Time (20 h/w)
• Date: 1 Jun 2025 – 30 May 2028
• Salary: Net monthly salary at least €2,466.50 (paid 14 times a year, job group B1 lit. b).
• Location: Vienna, Austria, with fieldwork in Central European forests.

Career Development Benefits:

• Access to BOKU’s state-of-the-art ecology labs and field research stations.
• Opportunities for international collaborations and joint publications.
• Mentorship from leading experts in forest ecology and mycology.
• Funding support for conference travel and workshops.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Essential Qualifications:

• PhD in mycology, forest ecology, ecosystem science, or a related field.
• Knowledge of deadwood ecology, fungal biology, or saproxylic insect ecology.
• Fieldwork skills, including experience with experimental design and data collection.
• Fluency in English (written and verbal).
• Hold a valid driving license (Class B) required for fieldwork logistics.

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge of carbon cycling and ecosystem modeling.
• Please note that only people whose qualifications match the requirements will be contacted.
• Experience with international research projects and interdisciplinary teamwork.

Personal Attributes:

• Enthusiasm in protecting the forest and resilience to changing climate.
• Ability to work with a problem-solving mindset and independently
• Excellent communication skills ability to engage well with scientists, policymakers, and the general public.

Application Process

Deadline: 31 March 2025, 23:59 (Europe/Brussels).

Required Documents:

1. Motivation letter (max. 2 pages) outlining your research interests and fit for the project.
2. CV including publications, fieldwork experience, and technical skills.
3. Contact details for two academic references.

How to Apply:

Email materials to recruiting@boku.ac.at with the reference code 16 in the subject line.

Address:

Personnel Management, BOKU Vienna
Peter-Jordan-Straße 70, 1190 Vienna, Austria

Why Join BOKU?

• Vienna, a city renowned for its quality of life and vibrant scientific community.
• Participate in worldwide science addressing climate change and forest ecosystems.
• Commitment to gender equality and diversity at BOKU—women and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Testimonials from Current Researchers:

“The collaborative environment at BOKU allowed me to grow as a scientist while addressing pressing ecological challenges.”
“Fieldwork in Austria’s diverse forests was both inspiring and foundational for my career.”

Take the Next Step in Your Research Career!

This postdoc is a rare mix of field, lab, and modeling to understand forest ecosystems better. If you do and you care about impacting the world we all live in, we want you to apply.

For project details, contact:

BOKU Vienna is an equal-opportunity employer. Applications from people with disabilities are welcome.