Scientific researcher (m/f/x) for ecosystem-climate interactions
Biogeosciences (BG)
Climate: Past, Present & Future (CL)
ABOUT US:
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München is a leading research university in Europe. Since its founding in 1472 it has been committed to the highest international standards of excellence in research and teaching. The Chair for Physical Geography and Land Use Systems (Prof. Julia Pongratz) at LMU’s Department of Geography investigates the interactions between ecosystems and climate, and how these are altered by the anthropogenic use of land. Our group develops and applies the latest generation of land-use emission, vegetation and Earth system models and integrates them with observational data. Key research questions are the fate of ecosystems under the pressures of land-use and climate change, Earth system feedbacks via energy, water and biogeochemical cycles, and the role of vegetation and soils for greenhouse gas emissions reduction and CO2 removals in support of the Paris Agreement. The team is strongly involved in large national and international collaborations such as the Global Carbon Project, CMIP, IPCC, CDRterra, Horizon Europe projects and the national Earth System Modeling Strategy (natESM) [1]. – https://www.wcrp-climate.org/wgcm-cmip – https://www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar6/ – https://cdrterra.de/en – https://www.nat-esm.de/
We have several positions available:
Scientific researcher (m/f/x) for ecosystem-climate interactions
YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The scientific researcher is expected to conduct innovative research. Possible research topics include own model simulations and integration with Earth observations to understand the ecosystem response to future land-use change and assess feedbacks with the changing climate; further developments in our land-use emission model BLUE towards a terrestrial carbon cycle model; and contribution to an interdisciplinary assessment of carbon dioxide removal methods. It is not necessary (or expected) that the applicant works on all these topics. Instead, it is intended that one of them should become a main focus area for the applicant; priorities will depend on the interests of the applicant, the development of the research field and success in related research proposals by the working group.
In all cases, tasks will be to
· advance the field of ecosystem-climate interactions and ecosystem modeling
· contribute to a better understanding of ecosystem-climate interactions and/or provide research results that are relevant for decision-making in support of sustainable land use and climate neutrality
· collaborate with other members of our group and other research institutions, with the option to co-supervise Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. students
· take a leading role in the development of scientific publications
· contribute to scientific outreach activities
YOUR QUALIFICATIONS:
· a PhD in a natural or physical science subject (geography, environmental science, ecology, physics or similar)
· good programming skills (such as python or R)
· excellent communication skills in English (our working language), proven also by scientific publications
· Training or experience in Earth system or carbon cycle modeling is advantageous, but not essential.
BENEFITS:
· the chance to be part of a dynamic team working at the frontier of Earth system science
· E13 TV-L position, commensurate with work experience, for three years starting May 2024 or soon thereafter, with the possibility to extend to a maximum of six years, based on performance, and to acquire a postdoctoral lecturer qualification (“Habilitation”). In the latter case, a contribution to teaching in the study programs of the Department of Geography is expected.
· career development through the LMU qualification program
· a stimulating working environment at one of Germany’s top-ranked universities. Our institute is located in the centre of the vibrant and internationally diverse city of Munich with excellent public transportation links.
CONTACT:
Please send an application outlining your fit for the position (including a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, copies of scientific degrees, and the names and contact information of two references) by e-mail (one PDF-attachment with max. 5 MB including all documents) with subject “SciRes-2024LMU” to climate.jobs@geographie.uni-muenchen.de. Deadline for application is March 18, 2024. For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Julia Pongratz (julia.pongratz@lmu.de).