The newly funded Cluster of Excellence TERRA “Terrestrial Geo-Biosphere Interactions in a Changing World” is an interdisciplinary research initiative of geoscientists, biologists, and computer scientists at the Universities of Tübingen and Hohenheim and the Senckenberg Institution of Biodiversity and Earth System Research in Frankfurt, investigating how the interactions between the living and non-living worlds shape global change from single microorganisms to the globe, in the geological past, at present, and in the future. It starts on January 1, 2026 and is currently funded until December 31, 2032. Together with the Department of Geosciences at the University of Tübingen we invite applications for the following positions in the coordination office.
TERRA01: Cluster Coordinator (m/f/d; E 13 TV-L, 50%), until 31.12.2032
TERRA02: Public-Relations Officer (m/f/d; E 13 TV-L, 50%) starting 01/26 until 31.12.2032
TERRA03: Science-Dialog Manager (m/f/d; E 13 TV-L, 50%) starting 01/26 until 31.12.2032
TERRA04: Graduate-School and Study-Program Coordinator (m/f/d; E 13 TV-L, 50%),
25% fixed-term until 31.12.2032, 25% permanent
TERRA05: Data Manager/Scientist (m/f/d; TV-L E 13, 100 %), starting 01/26 until 31.12.2032

Activities and responsibilitiesTERRA01: The cluster coordinator organizes the cluster of excellence as member of the coordination office. This includes the following responsibilities:

• Overseeing overarching project management of the Cluster of Excellence,
• Supporting the administrative and financial management units,
• Managing reporting and acting as contact person to the central offices of the participating institutions,
• Organizing scientific events of the Cluster of Excellence.

TERRA02: The public-relations officer develops, implements, and maintains effective public-relationship strategies and campaigns of the Cluster of Excellence. This includes the following responsibilities:

• Drafting press releases, media briefings, and promotional content for traditional and social media,
• Managing media inquiries and interview requests,
• Monitoring media coverage and preparing media reports,
• Collaborating with offices of the University of Tübingen and the partner institutions to ensure consistent messaging

TERRA03: The science-dialog manager acts at the interface between TERRA researchers, other large-scale research initiatives, and the public-relations and public-engagement team to enhance the visibility of the Cluster of Excellence. This includes the following responsibilities:

• Network building between TERRA and other research initiatives,
• Organizing the national platform on Earth System Science,
• Coordinating stakeholder engagement,
• Cooperating with the public-relations officer and the TERRA FutureLab manager to organize public-engagement and -dialog activities.

TERRA04: The graduate school for Geo-Biosphere Interactions will support a new generation of interdisciplinary scientists in coordinated doctoral programs. The Bachelor (BSc) and Master of Science (MSc) in Geoecology are interdisciplinary study programs at the interface of geosciences and biology that train students to understand complex environmental systems towards developing sustainable solutions to environmental problems.
The position has the following responsibilities:

For the Graduate School of TERRA (fixed-term contract until 31.12.2032):

• Coordinating the graduate school in cooperation with programs at the participating institutions,
• Supporting graduate-school activities (summer schools, conferences and training programs for doctoral researchers and supervisors) and of events organized by doctoral researchers,
• Counseling of doctoral researchers regarding degree-related administration, visa, housing, etc.,
• Monitoring and reporting of graduate-school related activities,

For the Study Programs of Geoecology (permanent contract):

• Counseling of BSc and MSc students related to study-program related questions
• Identifying and solving curricula challenges,
• Supporting the examination and study committees of the Geoecology study programs,
• Contributing to communication and outreach activities.

TERRA05: The data manager/scientist organizes the research-data management of the Cluster of Excellence. We envision the development of a next-generation data management strategy with seamless reproducibility from field data acquisition to model-based analysis and scientific publication. This includes the following responsibilities:

• Developing, implementing and maintenaning the data-management structure of TERRA. This includes creating and organizing metadata schemes and workflows in data collection and processing.
• Scientific data curation (e.g., data integrity, protection, pipelines).
• Interfacing with national and international research-data-management initiatives,
• Collaborating with and training of scientists within TERRA projects in the field of research-data management.

Qualification profile TERRA01: Candidates should have completed an MSc, preferably in a discipline related to TERRA, have a pro-active, structured, well-organized work style, must be able to communicate fluently in English and German (each language at least B2), and have experience in project management.
TERRA02: Candidates should have an MSc/MA, proven experience in communications, public relations, media, or strategic communication. Excellent writing and speaking skills in German and English (at least C1) and typo3 experience are mandatory. We expect strong understanding of current media landscape and familiarity with social-media management and digital communication tools.
TERRA03: Candidates should have completed a PhD in a TERRA-related discipline, have a pro-active, structured, well-organized work style, and must be able to communicate fluently in English and German (at least C1).
TERRA04: Candidates should have completed an MSc in a related discipline, have a pro-active, structured, well-organized work style, and must be able to communicate with students and doctoral researchers fluently in English and German (at least B2).
TERRA05: Candidates should have completed an MSc in natural or computer sciences, should have experience in data management and programming, have a pro-active attitude and work effectively in interdisciplinary teams, and communicate fluently in English and German (at least B1).BenefitsJoining TERRA, you will be member of a pioneering team exploring a new research domain with impact on addressing the multiple crises of global change. We offer an excellent and interdisciplinary research environment (https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/236226) in an international, lively and ambitious department (https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/82353) in a vibrant city (https://www.tuebingen.de)

Activities and responsibilitiesTERRA01: The cluster coordinator organizes the cluster of excellence as member of the coordination office. This includes the following responsibilities:

• Overseeing overarching project management of the Cluster of Excellence,
• Supporting the administrative and financial management units,
• Managing reporting and acting as contact person to the central offices of the participating institutions,
• Organizing scientific events of the Cluster of Excellence

TERRA02: The public-relations officer develops, implements, and maintains effective public-relationship strategies and campaigns of the Cluster of Excellence. This includes the following responsibilities:

• Drafting press releases, media briefings, and promotional content for traditional and social media,
• Managing media inquiries and interview requests,
• Monitoring media coverage and preparing media reports,
• Collaborating with offices of the University of Tübingen and the partner institutions to ensure consistent messagin

TERRA03: The science-dialog manager acts at the interface between TERRA researchers, other large-scale research initiatives, and the public-relations and public-engagement team to enhance the visibility of the Cluster of Excellence. This includes the following responsibilities:

• Network building between TERRA and other research initiatives,
• Organizing the national platform on Earth System Science,
• Coordinating stakeholder engagement,
• Cooperating with the public-relations officer and the TERRA FutureLab manager to organize public-engagement and -dialog activities

TERRA05: The data manager/scientist organizes the research-data management of the Cluster of Excellence. We envision the development of a next-generation data management strategy with seamless reproducibility from field data acquisition to model-based analysis and scientific publication. This includes the following responsibilities:

• Developing, implementing and maintenaning the data-management structure of TERRA. This includes creating and organizing metadata schemes and workflows in data collection and processing.
• Scientific data curation (e.g., data integrity, protection, pipelines).
• Interfacing with national and international research-data-management initiatives,
• Collaborating with and training of scientists within TERRA projects in the field of research-data management