Young, modern, and research-oriented… the University of Potsdam has firmly established itself within the scientific landscape since its founding in 1991. Nationally and internationally renowned scientists teach and perform research here at Brandenburg’s largest university. The University of Potsdam is successful in acquiring third-party funds, delivers outstanding performance in technology and knowledge transfer, and has a very service-oriented administration. With about 21,000 students studying at three campuses – Am Neuen Palais, Griebnitzsee and Golm – the University of Potsdam is a prominent economic factor and engine of development for the region. The University of Potsdam has a total of over 3,000 faculty and staff members and is located in one of Germany’s most scenic areas.
The University of Potsdam, Faculty of Science, Environmental Sciences and Geography, Landscape Ecology research group invites applications for the following two positions in an urban ecology research:
Academic Staff Member
Doctoral Candidate
Requisition No.: 397/2022
The positions are available as soon as possible. The salary is determined by the collective bargaining agreement for public employees in Germany (TV-L 13). The positions are for 26 hours per week (65% of a full-time contract). These are a temporary positions limited to a term of four years in accordance with Section 2 subsection 1 of the Fixed-Term Employment Con-tracts in Science and Research Act (WissZeitVG).
Research area and responsibilities: The successful candidates will work in the frame of an interdisciplinary project bridging ecology, sociology, and climatology titled “Plants and People in Urban Systems [PAPPUS]”. The main goal of the project is to understand how decision makers affect plant assemblages present in different urban green spaces (UGS), and how their decisions affect the ecological and human benefits that can be realized from UGS in a changing climate.
The doctoral candidates will use functional trait-based approaches to quantify and model the socio-ecological mechanisms driving plant community assembly in urban green spaces as well as their consequences for ecological and human benefits. The first PhD project will focus on community-level trait filtering quantification and modelling. The second PhD project will develop an integrated model predicting species relative abundances in UGS based on their traits. The two PhDs will jointly assess the potential consequences of future changes in biophysical and human factors on plant diversity and ecological and human benefits. The work includes manipulation and analysis of ecological data, writing of scientific publications, and collaboration within the research team. The research plan will be formulated together with the candidates, depending on their interests and expertise. The candidates must be highly motivated for research and enjoy working in an international and cross-disciplinary team.
Requirements: The candidate students are expected to fulfill the following requirements:
- • Applicants must have a completed Master of Science degree in a related field.
- • A strong background in ecological sciences and data analyses is required.
- • Familiarity with trait-based ecology and ecological modeling is an asset.
- • Knowledge of quantitative analysis and programming skills are considered as an asset.
- • Ability to work in a team, and willingness to learn.
- • Very good English proficiency.
Expectations: The candidate students are expected to:
- • Publish in top journals and present results at international conferences
- • Analyze complex ecological data and develop models
- • Participate in lab activities and collaborate if needed
- • Interact with project collaborators (PIs, postdocs, and PhDs), as well as the MSc and BSc students of the Landscape Ecology group
Research environment: The successful candidate will have the possibility to cooperate with world-class national and international partners, participate in interdisciplinary research, and attend scientific conferences and meetings. The research group provides flexible working hours, mobile working, as well as strong support and academic freedom.
We offer you varied and challenging tasks in a dynamic team as well as attractive working conditions. Find out more about the wide range of offers and benefits for our employees on the internet at https://www.uni-potsdam.de/de/arbeiten-an-der-up/. For further insights into the University of Potsdam, please visit our homepage at https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/. Prof. Bertrand Fournier will be happy to provide you with further information regarding the job advertisement via e-mail bertrand.fournier@nulluni-potsdam.de.
Under the laws of the federal state of Brandenburg, employees under this contract are permitted to dedicate at least 33% of their contract time to their own academic qualification.
The University of Potsdam aims to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching and therefore invites qualified female applicants to apply. The University of Potsdam values the diversity of its members and pursues the goals of equal opportunities regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity. In the case of equal suitability, women within the meaning of Section 7 (4) BbgHG (Branden-burg Higher Education Act) and people with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration. Applications from abroad and from persons with a migration background are expressly welcome.
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file including CV, motivation letter (describing your motivation, relevant skills, and experience, as well as your preference for either the first or second PhD project), and names and contact of two reference persons. The applications should be sent by email to Prof. Bertrand Fournier (bertrand.fournier@nulluni-potsdam.de) before the 28.02.2023.
Potsdam, December 19, 2022
