TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in the country. Founded in 1828, today it is a globally oriented, regionally anchored top university as it focuses on the grand challenges of the 21st century. It develops innovative solutions for the world's most pressing issues.
The intensity and frequency of droughts has increased dramatically over the last decade. Many forests have shown high drought vulnerability, but responses are complex and not uniform, even for trees of the same species. To understand how trees will respond to future climate conditions, it is of utmost importance to also consider their phenotypic plasticity and life history. The project 'XyLife', funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), aims to enhance the knowledge and process understanding of the interactions between tree growth, hydraulic architecture and water availability by using patterns of wood anatomy from provenance experiments of tree species for the development and parameterization of a new individual-based xylem growth model and its implementation into existing forest simulation models.
For TUD diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university. Accordingly, we welcome all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and productivity to the success of the whole institution.

• further development of the xylem growth model, including implementations to represent ring-porous trees
• fit of species-specific parameters of the model using wood anatomical data from provenance trials involving Fagus sylvatica and Quercus rubra
• simulation experiments on individual-tree xylem plasticity for climate change scenarios
• transfer of the xylem growth model into a module of the pyMANGA simulation environment (https://pymanga.forst.tu-dresden.de) and simulation of forest stand dynamics considering individual-tree xylem plasticity
• preparation of scientific publications in international journals
• contributions to national and international conferences

• outstanding university degree in forest sciences, ecology, biology, physics or a related field
• proficiency in written and spoken English
  What we expect from you:
• an independent, target-oriented work attitude
• strong analytical and problem-solving skills, creativity
• experience in the use of a programming language (ideally R and/or Python)
• willingness to acquire outstanding expertise in simulation modeling, wood anatomy and plant physiology
• willingness and ability to think beyond the boundaries of your field
• ability to work in an international and diverse environment and to communicate openly and constructively

• an exciting, highly topical and important research subject
• a friendly, inclusive and supportive team
• an excellent local research community
• an extensive international network
• an open and cooperative way of working with a high degree of personal responsibility, mutual support and flexibility in working hours
• tailored programs for further education, i.a. offered by TUD’s Graduate Academy

The tasks will be carried out under the supervision of the project leader Dr. Martin Zwanzig in collaboration with Prof. Marieke van der Maaten-Theunissen and Dr. Ernst van der Maaten from the Professorship of Forest Growth and Woody Biomass Production. The position is based at TUD's forest sciences campus in Tharandt.

TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research. We therefore expressly encourage women to apply. The University is a certified family-friendly university. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority for employment.

Please submit your detailed application with the usual documents (Letter of motivation, CV, certificates) by March 14, 2025 (stamped arrival date of the university central mail service or the time stamp on the email server of TUD applies), preferably via the TUD SecureMail Portal https://securemail.tu-dresden.de by sending it as a single pdf file to
martin.zwanzig@tu-dresden.de or to: TU Dresden, Fakultät Umweltwissenschaften, Fachrichtung Forstwissenschaften, Institut für Waldwachstum und Forstliche Informatik, Professur für Forstliche Biometrie und Systemanalyse, Herrn Dr. Martin Zwanzig, Helmholtzstr. 10, 01069 Dresden, Germany. Please submit copies only, as your application will not be returned to you. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.

Reference to data protection: Your data protection rights, the purpose for which your data will be processed, as well as further information about data protection is available to you on the website: https://tu-dresden.de/karriere/datenschutzhinweis.