The Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH (www.leibniz-zmt.de) is an independent research and teaching institute that provides scientific knowledge for the protection and sustainable use of tropical coastal ecosystems. To this end, we work in an inter- and transdisciplinary manner with our partners in the tropics. The ZMT is a member of the Leibniz Association.
“Ecological resilience of coastal vegetated ecosystems
and their contribution to coastal resilience
(part of BEACONSplus)“
BEACONSplus (Building Resilience in Atlantic Communities through Innovation and Science) is a project from the EU HORIZON Innovation Actions funding scheme aiming at helping coastal communities on both sides of the Atlantic adapt to climate change and strengthen their resilience. Using trans-, multi- and interdisciplinary approaches, BEACONSplus will work directly with coastal communities to identify shared and region-specific challenges and to develop and scale up a range of adaptation solutions.
The doctoral candidate will be integrated into the “Science and Innovation for Ecological Resilience” work package, which pursues four objectives:
- Develop a transdisciplinary framework for ecological resilience.
- Assess the ecological resilience of coastal vegetated ecosystems (CVE), and major drivers thereof, towards environmental change, based on synthesized evidence derived from both scientific and traditional knowledge.
- Evaluate how ecological resilience of CVE and Ecosystem Co-Design contribute to the resilience of coastal societies.
- Develop “good practice” for tangible actions towards ecological resilience including a monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) framework for CVE-based nature certificates, that could support the financing of such measures.
The working group Mangrove Ecology is seeking to fill an opening for a doctoral candidate (subject to release of funds).
Doctoral candidate (gn)
(Reference: 29-BEACONSplus-PhD)
Your tasks:
- Development of a theoretically grounded transdisciplinary framework for ecological coastal resilience (considering both scientific and local ecological knowledge), and derivation of metrics and indicators for measuring ecological resilience.
- Conduct systematic literature reviews on i) the ecological resilience and ii) ecosystem processes and services of CVE and their contribution to the resilience of coastal communities and iii) nature/biodiversity crediting schemes.
- Design questionnaires and perform community surveys, in selected BEACON Sites (esp. Brazil, French Guyana, Ghana, Nigeria), on: i) CVE ecological resilience, ii) contribution of CVE to enhancement of coastal resilience and iii) desirability of the implementation of Ecosystem Co-Design approaches for enhanced coastal resilience.
- Assess the resilience of CVE (mangrove forests as a model ecosystem) to environmental changes, as well as the most important influencing factors through time-series analyses, remote sensing and field studies (in Brazil, French Guyana, Ghana and Nigeria,). Development of spatial models of future ecological resilience.
- Contribute to the development of a knowledge-based toolbox of ecosystem-based solutions towards improved coastal resilience.
- Contribute to the development of clear guidelines and criteria for the co-design and implementation of CVE-based tangible actions to build or strengthen coastal resilience.
Requirements:
- Master Degree in Ecology (or equivalent)
- Fluency in spoken and written English
- Experience in data compilation (e.g., systematic literature reviews)
Further assets will be:
- Experience with overseas field campaigns in coastal areas of the Tropics
- Field work experience in CVE in the Tropics (specifically mangrove forests)
- Experience with interdisciplinary work (e.g. questionnaires, community surveys)
- Experience in remote sensing and modelling
- Advanced proficiency in French, Portuguese and German would be a plus
We hope for a candidate with:
- Strong organizational skills, ability to meet deadlines
- Strong conceptual thinking skills
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work in a team, effective communication with other scientists
- Ability to communicate effectively with local stakeholders
Further information:
For questions, please contact Dr. Véronique Helfer, email:
Details of position:
Remuneration is based on Pay Group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federal States (TV-L). The gross monthly salary is determined in accordance with the provisions of the TV-L and currently ranges from 4759.37 EUR to 6764.69 EUR employees gross salary per month, depending on the candidate’s recognized relevant professional experience. The gross salary listed here applies to a full-time position. For part-time employment, this amount should be adjusted proportionally. Further details regarding remuneration are governed by the TV-L and the TV-L Pay Scale Regulations (Entgeltordnung zum TV-L).
The position is available for part-time (2/3 of a full-time position) employment starting as soon as possible for 36 months The fixed-term contract is dependent on the contract start date and can run for a maximum period until December 31, 2029, the scheduled end of the project. The fixed term is for academic qualification according to § 2 (1) WissZeitVG (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz). Accordingly, only applicants who still have the relevant qualification periods according to § 2 (1) WissZeitVG can be considered. The position is intended to provide further academic qualification with the aim of obtaining a doctorate.
ZMT is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants with a migration background are welcome. Persons with severe disabilities are given special consideration if they have the same professional and personal qualifications. The ZMT values its diverse workforce and pursues the goal of providing equal opportunity, which incorporates gender neutrality (gn). We will be happy to accept your documents without a photo.
We offer:
- A varied job in an international, dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment
- A motivated and committed team from different countries and cultures
- An open and cooperative working atmosphere
- Opportunities for personal and professional development
- Interesting, varied and challenging tasks and family-friendly working conditions
- Company pension plan (VBL)
- Company health promotion and the opportunity to participate in company fitness with EGYM Wellpass
Submission of application:
Please submit your CV including publication list, a letter of motivation and research interests, and the names and contact information of two referees by 31.08.2026 as a single pdf file with the reference number “29-BEACONSplus-PhD” to Ms. Wiebke Harms-Krusemeyer, email:
Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Fahrenheitstraße 6, D-28359 Bremen.
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