The mission of the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) as a nationally and internationally active research institute is to deliver solutions for an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable agriculture – together with society. ZALF is a member of the Leibniz Association and is located in Müncheberg (approx. 35 minutes by regional train from Berlin-Lichtenberg). It also maintains a research station with further locations in Dedelow and Paulinenaue.
The ZALF Research Group on “Soil Erosion and Feedbacks” aims at assessing soil erosion processes driven by wind, water, and anthropogenic activities as well as their general impacts on landscape functioning. For this strongly transdisciplinary goal we apply qualitative and quantitative approaches ranging from the detection of the processes and the assessment of their drivers and dynamics to numerical models and experimental field and laboratory simulations.
A key issue of the working group is the integration of the different soil erosion processes on landscape scale. The research carried out in the light of expected future global changes finally helps to develop new innovative techniques and approaches to fight, cope with or mitigate negative effects of soil erosion especially in agricultural areas.
We are offering a 65% position temporarily limited for 36 months at our location in Müncheberg as a PhD student (f/m/d) soil erosion modelling 74-2023
Your tasks:
- setup and apply quantitative numeric soil erosion models for different soil erosion processes
- test the model framework in different agricultural landscapes in Brandenburg and Northern Italy subject to landuse changes and climate change.
- carry out hind casting and forecasting investigations based on scenario analysis
- derive measures to prevent, mitigate or cope with soil erosion in the test areas
- the PhD is carried out in in collaboration with ITC Enschede, University of Twente, NL.
Your qualifications:
- university degree (Univ.-Diplom or M.Sc.) in Geosciences or related disciplines (e.g. Physical Geography, Geoecology, Geology, Remote Sensing, Soil Science, Agric. Engineering)
- good knowledge in spoken and written English language
- experience in environmental modelling
- experience in statistical analysis of geodata
- experience in GIS and coding (R, python, or similar)
- ability to work independently, as well as within a multidisciplinary team
What we offer:
- an interdisciplinary working environment that encourages independence and self-reliance
- classification according to the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) up to 13 (including special annual payment)
- flexible working hours and family friendly conditions
- budget for conferences, meetings
- a collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution
- company ticket
Women are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons with equal qualifications are favored. It is generally possible to work in the position on a part-time basis. Please send your application preferably online (see button online application below).
For e-mail applications, create a PDF document (one PDF file, max. 5 MB; packed PDF documents, archive files like zip, rar etc. Word documents cannot be processed and therefore cannot be considered!) with the usual documents, in particular CV, proof of qualification and certificates, stating the reference number 74-2023 until 07.July 2023 to (see button e-mail application below).
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Prof. Dr. Michael Märker (Phone 033432/82-4078; michael.maerker@zalf.de) .
For cost reasons, application documents or extensive publications can only be returned if an adequately stamped envelope is attached.
If you apply, we collect and process your personal data in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of the EU GDPR only for the processing of your application and for purposes that result from possible future employment with the ZALF. Your data will be deleted after six months.