Postdoctoral researcher (f/m)
The Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology and geophysics thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.
The department Biosciences in Bremerhaven which investigates the marine ecology of polar communities and their vulnerability to regional changes in the environment invites applications for the position as
Postdoctoral researcher (f/m)
starting August 1st 2014 at the AWI in Bremerhaven. The position is based in the section “Bentho-Pelagic Processes“ (BPP) and contributes to the Helmholtz Research Programme „Polar Regions and Coasts in the changing Earth System (PACES II): Changes and regional feedbacks in Arctic and Antarctic” work package “Large scale variability and change in polar benthic biota and ecosystem functions”.
Background:
The western Weddell Sea is one of the regions on the planet most profoundly affected by climate change, where warming has triggered the catastrophic collapse of ice shelves along its margins in recent decades. Although other parts of the Antarctic have been less affected, physical models predict a critical warming of the so far cold eastern Weddell Sea continental shelf over the next decades. The responses of the biota to the ongoing and projected changes in ice shelf, sea-ice cover, and temperature are only beginning to unfold.
Tasks:
You are expected to make a significant contribution to the assessment and prediction of large-scale and long-term changes in ecosystem structure and function in the Weddell Sea, with a focus on the epibenthic megafauna and associated biota.
You will
analyze ecological data sets from various parts of the Weddell Sea collected over the last 30 years in their environmental context,
apply and develop analytical techniques to understand ecological interactions and identify environmental drivers,
apply and develop models integrating ecological and environmental parameters to anticipate climate-induced shifts in ecosystem functioning using available information on benthic abundance, biomass, biodiversity and bentho-pelagic processes.
Requirements:
We are looking for a theoretical ecologist with expertise in spatial ecology and ecological modeling. You should hold a PhD in natural sciences with a track record of relevant research in marine or terrestrial ecology, documented in high-level peer-reviewed publications. A full command of the relevant numerical skills is required for: the mining, visualization and analysis of ecological and environmental data; geospatial and time-series analysis; and ecological modeling. Experience in the analysis of remote sensing data, particularly video and still underwater imagery by remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) and photosledge is an asset. Excellent English skills (written and spoken) are mandatory. Participation in sea-going expeditions to the Antarctic is desirable. Candidates with the potential to acquire third-party funding and to develop interdisciplinary collaborations will receive priority.
The position is limited to three years, with the potential for extension up to a total five years. The salary will be paid in accordance with the German Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes TVöD Bund. The place of employment will be Bremerhaven.
For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Claudio Richter (crichter(at)awi.de).
AWI aims to increase the number of women in the scientific staff. Female candidates are therefore especially asked to apply. Disabled applicants will be given preference when equal qualifications are present; please see the notification on our homepage under job offers/jobs. The AWI fosters the compatibility of work and family through various means. Because of our engagement in the area of work-life compatibility we have been awarded the certificate “Career and Family”.
Please forward your applications with the standard documentation (cover letter, letter of motivation, CV and two references/letters of recommendation) referencing code 44/G/Bio by June 20th, 2014, via postal mail to: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Personalabteilung, Postfach 12 01 61, 27515 Bremerhaven or by e-mail (all documents merged into one PDF file) to: personal@awi.de.