Doctoral Researcher in Ecohydrology

Uni-jena - Erfurt - 27-05-2021 zur Vakanz  

Friedrich Schiller University is a traditional university with a strong research profile rooted in the heart of Germany. As a university covering all disciplines, it offers a wide range of subjects. Its research is focused on the areas Light-Life-Liberty. It is closely networked with non-research institutions, research companies and renowned cultural institutions. With around 18,000 students and more than 8,600 employees, the University plays a major role in shaping Jena's character as a cosmopolitan and future-oriented city.

The DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre 1076 "AquaDiva - Understanding the Links between Surface and Subsurface Biogeosphere" is an ambitious research centre at Friedrich Schiller University. Its integrated research training group IRTG AquaDiva is educating doctoral researchers in a structured, interdisciplinary training program (

) and invites applications for doctoral researcher positions in various fields of research.
The Institute of Geoscience /Terrestrial Ecohydrology Group at the Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences seeks to fill the position of a

Doctoral Researcher in Ecohydrology (m/f/d)

commencing on September 1, 2021 or at the earliest possible date
in the project "Evolution of Water and Matter Cycles within the Earth's Critical Zone" (B02).

Background

This project aims to understand how the substantial spatial heterogeneity of water and matter fluxes caused by canopies, root uptake, and soil properties is organized at the ecosystem scale and how this affects the precipitation partitioning into evapotranspiration and deep percolation. In doing so, the project seeks to reveal the drivers of spatial input and output patterns and thus rendering them predictable. For this, we use an innovative nested observation network with a design targeted at concerted evaluation of above- and belowground processes shaping water fluxes.

Your responsibilities:

  • Support with establishment and maintenance of a spatially distributed lysimeter and soil moisture sensor network along canopy gradients
  • Evaluation of soil hydraulic properties, soil water dynamics, nitrogen leakage, and derivation of root water uptake profiles
  • Application of statistical modelling to investigate spatial patterns of soil water dynamics, preferential flow, and root water uptake
  • Derivation of organizing principles and upscaling rules suitable for process model application
  • Strong cooperation with related projects on above- and belowground vegetation processes as well as hydrological modelling
  • Work on a scientific qualification project: doctorate
  • Writing and publishing scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals
  • Presenting results at national and international conferences

Your profile

  • M.Sc. degree in hydrology, environmental sciences with focus on hydrology, soil science or similar fields is necessary; candidates expected to earn their degree by September 2021 are welcome to apply
  • Solid knowledge of soil hydrology and soil science as well as basic knowledge of data analysis is expected
  • Experience with field measurements of soil water states and fluxes, laboratory measurements of soil hydraulic properties, and programming would be desirable but is not mandatory
  • Excellent English communication skills, both written and spoken, are desirable
  • Enthusiasm to play an active role in the interdisciplinary research team of AquaDiva
  • Highly motivated and creative individuals with an interest to shape their own thesis project
  • Readiness and ability to work in the field
  • Driver's license is necessary.

We offer:

  • A doctoral researcher position with generous research funding and the possibility of a three-month research stay abroad
  • Participation in a strongly interdisciplinary research project and diverse experimental and theoretical approaches, combined with the opportunity for research on an innovative and unique Critical Zone research platform
  • A communicative atmosphere within an international scientific network of universities and research institutes providing top-level research facilities, equipment, and infrastructure
  • A comprehensive mentoring programme with supervision by a team of advisors and qualification and development measures in the frame of the IRTG AquaDiva and embedded with the Jena Graduate Academy
  • A family-friendly working environment with a variety of offers for families, and University health promotion including a wide range of University sports activities
  • Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) at salary scale E13 - depending on the candidate's personal qualifications-, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement
The position is initially limited to 3 years, with the possibility of extension to end of June 2025.
This is a part-time position with 65% of the working hours of a full-time employee (26 hours per week).
The project is supervised by Prof. Anke Hildebrandt; the place of work will be Jena - City of Science.
FSU Jena and CRC AquaDiva seek to increase the number of women in those research areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourage women to apply. Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

Are you eager to work for us? Then submit your application, addressed to Prof. Anke Hildebrandt and stating the vacancy ID 175/2021, by 4 July 2021 to our online application portal at

.

All applications should be in English and include (in one PDF file, max. size 15 MB) at least the following:
  • Cover letter (max. 1 page, describing your motivation, research interests, and relevant experiences)
  • Curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages, including contact details of at least two scientific references)
  • Scans of certificates, diplomas, and other (e.g., Master's and Bachelor's certificate - if not in English or German, please provide a translation)
Selected applicants will be invited for a short presentation and a personal interview with the project leader/s at our online recruitment symposium, presumably in July/August 2021.

Queries concerning the application process should be directed to the IRTG coordinator, Dr. Anke Hädrich (
); for project-related questions, please contact Prof. Anke Hildebrandt (
).
More project details can be found at
.
For further information for applicants, please also refer to
(in German)
Please also note the information on the collection of personal data at
Registriernummer
175/2021
Bewerbungsadresse
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
The Institute of Geoscience /Terrestrial Ecohydrology Group
mehr...

zur Vakanz

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