The University of Salzburg is a thriving university in Austria with a strong focus on research. The university stands for outstanding achievements in both research and teaching in the areas of (digital) humanities, life sciences, sustainability of (social) processes and the link between art and science. With the four guiding themes of Art in Context, Development & Sustainability, Digital Life and Health & Mind, the university offers researchers excellent opportunities for inter- and transdisciplinary cooperation.
The University of Salzburg invites applications for a tenured full professorship in:
Plant Ecophysiology
The position will become available in the Department of Environment & Biodiversity, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, as of October 1, 2026.
The Department of Environment & Biodiversity at the University of Salzburg is committed to research that explores interactions between plants, animals and the geosphere from both a disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspective. A particular focus thereby is on topics related to global change, encompassing both fundamental and applied studies. The department places significant emphasis on the implementation of research and teaching employing experimental study designs, including in-situ (field work) and ex-situ (laboratory work, cultivation/rearing of organisms) approaches. The Alpine region, including the Alpine foothills, is the primary, but not exclusive, study area.
The professorship is expected to cover topics within the area of molecular botany and will comprehensively represent the field of plant ecophysiology in both research and teaching. Research should focus primarily on questions relating to the physiological and molecular responses of plants to biotic or abiotic environmental stress or to the influence of environmental changes on physiological processes that are important in interactions between plants and mutualistic or parasitic interaction partners
The successful candidate is expected to employ state of the art methods (e.g. gas exchange measurements, omics technologies, modern imaging) combined with experimental approaches, such as experimental manipulation in climate chambers. Research programs developing the foundations for predicting changes in physiological and developmental processes in wild plants or for breeding crops for sustainable agriculture, taking global change into account, are desirable.
The professorship is expected to contribute to the objectives of the newly established Climate Change Resilience Centre (CCRC) and to the development of the relevant core facilities at the University of Salzburg. The utilisation of existing core facilities and institutional infrastructure (e.g. electron microscopy, IR mass spectrometry, chemical ecology, molecular biodiversity research, high performance computing cluster) is strongly encouraged, as is the collaboration with extant research groups.
The appointee and his/her team will be responsible for teaching in various degree programmes, including the Bachelor’s degree programme “Biology”, the Master’s degree programme “Ecology & Evolution“, as well as the Teacher’s Training Study Programme (BA/MA) “Biology and Environmental Studies”. Additional courses shall be offered in the international CIVIS programme, in the Bachelor's degree programme “Applied Environmental and Geosciences”, which is currently being developed, and in other interdisciplinary study programmes encompassing the subject of sustainability at the University of Salzburg.
Areas of responsibility include in particular:
* Independent academic research and publication activities in the field of plant ecophysiology (with a focus on molecular botany);
* Participation in and further development of research and teaching cooperations of the University of Salzburg;
* Active involvement in the relevant degree programmes at the University of Salzburg and doctoral education, including the supervision of theses and dissertations;
* Promotion of junior researchers;
* Participation in university committees and in university self-administration;
* Initiation/leadership of and participation in third-party funded projects and third mission activities;
* Active participation in the European university alliance CIVIS and the Climate Change Resilience Centre.
General employment requirements:
* A relevant domestic or equivalent foreign university degree (doctorate);
* Relevant habilitation (venia docendi/venia legendi) or an equivalent scientific qualification;
* Outstanding achievements in research, commensurate with academic age and biography;
* Pedagogical and university teaching aptitude;
* Competence in managing a university institution;
* Proof of involvement in the scientific community (e.g. activity as a peer);
* German skills: German language level of B2 must be achieved within 3 years;
* Excellent English skills.
Additional requirements:
* Experience in and/or willingness to participate in university committees and university self-administration;
* Experience in modern science management and in acquiring third-party funding;
* Willingness and qualification to assume leadership functions;
* Ability and willingness to participate in third mission activities and to cooperate with non-university institutions and settings;
* Digital skills;
* Ability to work in a team, willingness to cooperate, excellent social skills;
* International research and cooperation experience;
* Experience in the planning and implementation of interdisciplinary research projects;
* Commitment to the promotion and mentoring of junior researchers.
The university hires professors full time on tenured contracts according to the Austrian Universities Act, the Austrian Salaried Employees Act (Angestelltengesetz) and Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Employees (A1 salary schedule). The basis of salary negotiations is the required legal minimum of € 6.604,30 before taxes (in 14 monthly payments).
The University of Salzburg seeks to increase the proportion of its female staff and therefore encourages female candidates to apply. Women will be given preference over equally qualified men.
People with disabilities or chronic illnesses who fulfil the job requirements are also expressly invited to apply. Further information can be requested under +43 (0)662 8044 2465 or from disability@plus.ac.at.
Unfortunately, travel and accommodation expenses incurred in connection with the admission procedure cannot be reimbursed.
Application:
Applications must be submitted with the following documents:
* Letter of motivation (1-2 pages);
* Curriculum vitae (1-3 pages);
* Research concept (1-3 pages);
* Teaching and mentoring concept (1-2 pages);
* List of publications and three publications relevant to the advertised professorship;
* List of courses previously taught, relevant research projects and other activities relevant to the position;
* Teaching evaluations and teaching certificates;
* Habilitation certificate (if available).
If necessary, further documents may be requested.
The hearings, constituting an integral component of the appointment procedure, are scheduled to take place in February 2026.
Applications should be addressed to the President of the University (“Rector”), Prof. Bernhard Fügenschuh, and must be mailed as a single pdf to bewerbung@plus.ac.at by October 1, 2025, stating the code number of the job advert B 0009/1-2025.
For further information, please contact Prof. Stefan Dötterl at +43 (0)662 8044 5527 or stefan.doetterl@plus.ac.at.
Please note that in case of doubt, the German version of the job advertisement is binding.
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