PhD position on human-bear coexistence

The Chair of Modelling of Social-Ecological Systems at the University of Freiburg invites applications for a 3-year PhD position on human-bear coexistence as part of the international collaborative Biodiversa+ project “CoexHub”. PhD position on human-bear coexistence

• Application deadline: 20. January 2026
• Publication date: 18. December 2025
• Start-date: 1. April 2026
• Scope of work: Part-time position (65 %)
• Id no.: 00004756

Description

The Biodiversa+ project “CoexHub” studies coexistence between people and brown bears in three European regions, the Central Apennines in Italy, Cantabrian Mountains in Spain, and in Slovenia. As the ranges of large carnivores expand in human-dominated landscapes, coexistence between humans and large carnivores is becoming an increasingly important challenge, shaped by diverse actors, interests, and perspectives. CoexHub addresses the challenge of coexistence using an integrated social-ecological and institutional approach across case study areas spanning from regions with long histories of coexistence to areas where bear populations are only recently expanding. Within this project, you will focus on Slovenia, a country with a long history of coexistence with bears, high bear densities and comparatively low levels of conflict, although facing recent challenges due to growing bear population and range expansion. You will conduct interviews and workshops with stakeholders to develop indicators and maps of coexistence potential, which can help guide decisions about conservation and management. In addition, you will analyse past transformations of social-ecological networks related to coexistence in order to identify infrastructures and institutions that enable or hinder coexistence. Through your research and engagement with practitioners and decision-makers, you will contribute to developing pathways towards effective and balanced human-bear coexistence in Europe.

 

You have a Master’s degree in environmental sciences, geography, environmental social sciences, or similar, and a strong interest in interdisciplinary research, linking ecology and social sciences, and in working with stakeholders. You have a good command of English (written and spoken). Knowledge of Slovenian is an advantage. You enjoy talking to people and ideally have some experience with conducting interviews and qualitative research. Experience working with R, GIS, and/or with network models is also an advantage. 

 

This PhD position will be based at the recently established Chair of Modelling of Social-Ecological Systems at the University of Freiburg with Prof. Ana Stritih, and will include international collaborations with project partners in Slovenia, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain, as well as fieldwork in Slovenia.

 

Your application will consist of a letter of motivation, a CV, academic transcripts (non-official copies are acceptable), and contact details of at least two academic references. Please send your application by the 20th of January through the online application system (not by email or post).

The position is limited to 31. March 2029. The salary will be determined in accordance with TV-L 13.

Application

Please send your application in English including supporting documents mentioned above citing the reference number 00004756, by 20. January 2026 at the latest. Please send your application to the following address in written or electronic form:

Fakultät für Umwelt und Natürliche Ressourcen
Professur für Modellierung Sozial-Ökologischer Systeme
Tennenbacherstr. 4
79106 Freiburg

For further information, please contact JProf. Dr. Ana Stritih on the phone number +49 761 203 3726 or E-Mail ana.stritih@mses.uni-freiburg.de.