Coordinator (postdoc) in the GArua project (on Galapagos fog ecosystems)

to work in the central coordination project of interdisciplinary research unit GArua: “Fog-dependent water relations and plant invasion in the Galápagos Archipelago under climate change”, subject to the final funding decision by the the German Research Foundation (DFG). The position is offered for a period of 4 years. The starting date is as soon as possible, ideally before October 2026. The position is full-time with salary and benefits commensurate with a public service position in the state Hesse, Germany (TV-H E 13, 100%). The position is based in Marburg but also includes several months of fieldwork each year on the Galápagos Islands and other work-related travel. 

The GArua project is a collaboration between researchers based at seven German universities and the Charles Darwin Foundation on Galapagos and aims to understand the interactive effects of plant invasion and climate change on the biodiversity and hydrology of the humid-zone ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands. Subprojects work together in joint research sites, including several field experiments, to study climate patterns, cloud water interception, ecosystem hydrology, tree population dynamics, tree water relations, epiphyte water relations and diversity, and soil processes. The integration of subproject results, through conceptual and formal modelling, should lead to the detection of interactions and feedbacks between these system elements. Spatial extrapolation through modelling and remote sensing should allow predictions about the development of these ecosystems across the islands. An overview of the available positions witin te GArua project can be found here:
https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/fb19/research/working-groups/ecological-plant-geography/news/garua-vacancies-2026

The coordinator we are looking for will support the project by coordinating the scientific integration of methods and results among the subprojects, by leading the practical daily running of the project and by coordinating synthesis activities.

Tasks:

Central coordination and synthesis of the GArua research unit:

• Coordinate and orient the GArua research unit and its various subprojects to reach the scientific goals, together with the scientific steering committee
• Coordinate the practical implementation (e.g. field work setup and timing, information flows)
• Organise synthesis activities and coordinate the writing of synthesis papers, potentially lead-authoring some
• Present the project in scientific conferences and coordinate the science communication strategy of the GArua project, incl. events, website and social media
• Organise project meetings in Germany and Galapagos, including one international conference
• Help manage the finances and logistics of the project (incl. research and export permit applications, sample shipping, lab and housing arrangements in Galapagos, ordering materials, communication with the administration in Marburg and with the German research Foundation etc)
• Organise and supervise student helpers assisting in e.g. social media and meeting organisation
• Co-supervise PhD / BSc / MSc thesis projects 

This is a project-based position that is not limited by the § 2, 1 WissZeitVG.

Profile:

• MSc-degree or equivalent and PhD-degree in Geography, Biology, Environmental Science or a related disciplin
• Experience in coordinating interdisciplinary research projects, preferably within the German academic system and with field work in tropical and/or Latin-American countries
• Research experience in at least one, preferably more of the following thematic areas: ecosystem hydrology, climatology, ecology, epiphyte biology, plant ecophysiology, soil science, especially in tropical ecosystems, and the willingness to learn and integrate basic concepts in all of these fields
• A self-motivated, independent, proactive, structured, collaborative, positive work attitude
• The willingness to spend many months yearly in Galapagos and to organise fieldwork under sometimes challenging conditions (burocratic hurdles, wet, cold and hot weather, bumpy boat rides between islands, mosquitos etc), and the willingness to travel within Germany and Ecuador for coordination purposes
• Very good communication and scientific writing skills and very good (at least C1 level) English and good German and Spanish (both at least B1 level) communication skills, with C2 level in at least one of these three languages

We offer:

• The opportunity to help shape an exciting interdisciplinary research project studying a unique tropical ecosystem offering many interesting scientific questions
• The opportunity to develop coordination and scientific synthesis skills within a supportive academic environment and participate in training workshops and offers of Marburg Research Academy (MARA), the International Office and the Higher Education Didactics Office
• The opportunity to travel to Galapagos once or twice per year and to present the project in international conferences and develop a large international professional network

We support women and strongly encourage them to apply. In areas where women are underrepresented, female applicants will be preferred in case of equal qualifications. As a certified family-friendly university, we support our employees in balancing family and career. A reduction of working time is possible. Applicants with a disability as discribed in the Social Security Code (Section 2(2) and (3) of Book IX of the Social Security Code (SGB IX)) will be preferred in case of equal qualifications. Application and interview costs can not be refunded.

Please apply by 16 July 2026 using the application-button below.