Postdoctoral research associate position in Palynology and Palaeoecology at University of Bern

Postdoctoral Research Opportunity

We invite applications for a postdoctoral opportunity focusing on the study of vegetational and land use dynamics in relation to climate change and technological innovations. This role will involve conducting original palynological and palaeoecological research utilizing sediment cores from Italy.

Join an inspiring and innovative research environment that offers access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and is supported by a diverse, motivated team.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research on palynology and palaeoecology.
• Analyze sediment cores with a focus on understanding climate impacts on vegetation.
• Collaborate with two PhD students and external partners, including archaeological survey teams.

Candidate Profile

• PhD in Ecology, Environmental Sciences, or Earth Sciences.
• Strong background in numerical analysis and optical microscopy.
• Excellent knowledge of palynology and/or plant macrofossil analysis.
• Experience in Mediterranean vegetation ecology is essential.
• Demonstrated track record of high-quality research and successful international publications.
• Ability to work well within a collaborative team environment.
• Knowledge of the Italian language is an asset.

Research Context

The successful candidate will be based within the research section led by Prof. Willy Tinner, working on the SNF project CIVES, which assesses the environmental context of past urbanization dynamics using sedimentary archives. The project focuses on early urbanization in Greece, Italy, and Switzerland over the last 3000 years.

Compensation and Duration

The gross annual salary ranges from 80,000 to 105,000 CHF for full-time employment, with potential for part-time arrangements starting from 70%. This position is set to commence on 1 January 2026 for an initial duration of 12 months, with possibilities for extension up to two years by agreement.

Contact Information

For further details about the research group and the work being conducted, please explore our website.