six research assistants (post-docs)
The Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) in Müncheberg seeks up to six research assistants (post-docs)
The Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) in Müncheberg is a member of the Leibniz Association, and one of the largest non-university research institutions in the Federal State of Brandenburg. Interdisciplinary research conducted at ZALF focuses on issues concerning the ecological and socioeconomic effects of multifunctional agricultural landscape use.
In the context of supporting early career scientists, ZALF seeks to fill up to six post-doc positions in its core topics "Landscape Functioning" (core topic I), "Land Use Change and Impacts" (core topic II) and "Land Use Conflicts and Governance" (core topic III). Each successful candidate shall explore one of the following issues:
CO2 fluxes and carbon dynamics in agricultural landscapes (core topic I).
Biogeochemistry of temporarily flooded soils and its relation to landscape processes (core topic I).
Role of functional traits for carbon and nitrogen dynamics in agricultural landscapes (core topic I).
Long-term effects of agricultural systems on soil productivity and ecosystem services (core topic II).
Self-regulation ability/ compensation effects against agricultural pressures in agricultural landscapes (abiotic + biotic) (core topic II).
Modelling responses of biotic systems on changing boundary conditions (climate, land use, management) (core topic II).
Innovative methods to identify land use conflicts and/or landscape preferences (core topic III)
Interaction of different institutions in rural landscapes (core topic III)
Operationalising the ecosystem service approach for different types of governance (core topic III)
Objectives:
To develop a scientific profile, using innovative approaches;
To establish a research group based on third-party funding;
To contribute to ZALF‘s highly interdisciplinary work;
To create a specific highlight of landscape-related research
Prerequisites:
Candidates for issues fromcore topics I and II should aim at identifying processes and their drivers, quantifying turnover rates and upscaling results in the context of long-term monitoring approaches and landscape experiments
We seek highly motivated early career scientists with a PhD in a relevant field. Candidates should
have been awarded an excellent PhD three to five years ago and will have been working as a scientist since then
be independent-minded;
have proven professional expertise in the subjects of this call
have published in high-ranking peer-reviewed journals;
be able to work and communicate in an interdisciplinary context;
have experience in field studies or landscape-related research;
have excellent language skills in German and English
Remuneration and limited term: Remuneration for a full-time position is paid according to salary scale 13 TV-L. The position is limited to a fixed term of three years at most. Candidates will be expected to commence as soon as possible. Women are expressly urged to apply. Applications from severely disabled candidates with equal skills will be given preferential treatment.
Closing date for applications and application documents: Please apply by 31 March 2015 by sending the documents listed below to (code 02-2015 and core topic) R. Bolick, Head of Human Resources, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374 Müncheberg
Covering letter
Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications, conferences attended, periods abroad and any third-party funding that may have been applied for or acquired
A cornerstone of the application is a concept (2-4 pages) of the planned activities and how they will contribute to landscape research at ZALF in general and to the respective specific ZALF core topic. A concept-based presentation will be evaluated by an interdisciplinary committee.
Interviews will be held in Müncheberg, Brandenburg, in April 2015. Unfortunately, travel expenses cannot be refunded.
For more information about the core topics, visit: www.zalf.de
Further information on the respective core topics can be obtained from:
Professor Jürgen Augustin - Core topic I (Tel. +49 (0)33432 82376)
Dr. Michael Glemnitz - Core topic II (Tel. +49 (0)33432 82264) and
Professor Bettina Matzdorf - Core topic III (Tel. +49 (0)33432 82150)