The Heidelberg Planetary Health Hub at the IWR of Heidelberg University is offering a Academic Researcher position to contribute to a multidisciplinary research initiative (TULIP Project) addressing plastic pollution, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and nature-based solutions.
Academic Researcher (m/f/d) in Planetary Health, TVL-13
This position provides an exciting chance to support impactful research at the crossroads of community health, environmental engineering, and public engagement. You will evaluate the effectiveness of community-based interventions, analyze the economic externalities of plastic pollution, identify health co-benefits of reducing plastic pollution, and conduct environmental behavior studies. The role focuses on applied research with direct relevance to policy and practice, requiring both academic rigor and authentic engagement with the subject.
Your Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the guidance of a senior researcher, you will
- Assist with designing and implementing causal impact evaluations of community interventions
using experimental or quasi-experimental study designs, working collaboratively with project
partner institutions. - Conduct a comprehensive literature review and synthesize available databases to map and
quantify health and ecosystem externalities of plastic pollution, and the health co-benefits of
proposed solutions and policies. This includes contributing to the evaluation of health impacts,
such as direct and indirect effects on productivity, ecosystem effects, and aesthetic effects.
When feasible, contribute to quantifying externalities and incorporating them into scenariobased integrated simulation tools as projected costs, non-monetary co-benefits, or direct
benefits. - Participate in designing and implementing surveys to collect data on knowledge, attitudes,
behavior, and practices related to plastic and antibiotic consumption and disposal, awareness of
citizen science, and barriers to behavioral change. You will contribute to conducting embedded
experimental studies to understand how information provision influences risk perception and
values. You will participate in assessing the non-market value of risk reduction due to plastic
pollution through stated preference methods.
Desired qualifications
- PhD in epidemiology, health or environmental economics, social sciences with a quantitative
focus, or related field - Proven experience with quantitative primary research, experimental or quasi-experimental
study designs - Experience with economic valuation, cost-benefit analysis, or impact evaluation
- Experience with causal inference frameworks or impact evaluation methodologies
- Experience conducting research in or with LMIC contexts
- Demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary research approaches
Community-based engagement and interventions to stem the tide of antimicrobial resistance spread in the aquatic
environments catalysed by climate change and plastic pollution interactions
HORIZON-HLTH-2023-ENVHLTH-02 – Environment and health – 101136659.
https://tulip-project.eu - Publications in peer-reviewed journals demonstrating research expertise
- Proficiency in quantitative data analysis software (R, Python) and statistical methods
- Strong written and oral communication skills in English
What we offer
- Multidisciplinary engagement
- An intellectually stimulating environment within a dynamic, multidisciplinary research team
(https://hei-planet.com/) - Engagement with real-world environmental and public health challenges
- Opportunity to publish and build research collaborations with international partners
- Commitment to supporting the professional development and well-being of research staff
- Home office opportunity
The position initially is offered for one year, with the possibility of extension, and does not include a PhD opportunity. Compensation follows pay group 13 TV-L.
How to apply
Please send a PDF of your CV, including up to five publications if available, and a one-page motivation letter by February 15, 2026, to Uliana Kachnova at uliana.kachnova@uni-heidelberg.de.
Heidelberg University values equal opportunity and diversity. We especially encourage qualified female candidates to apply. If equally qualified, persons with severe disabilities will be given priority. For more information on job postings and data protection, visit www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/job-market.
