University Professor of Physical Geography with a Focus on Geomorphology and Earth Surface Systems
Freie Universität Berlin
Geomorphology (GM)
University Professor of Physical Geography with a Focus on Geomorphology and Earth Surface Systems
Department of Earth Sciences
Salary grade: W3 or equivalent
Reference code: FU-W3-Physische-Geographie
The new professor will be expected to integrate new quantitative research approaches in geomorphology and earth surface systems into their position, as well as how these interact with the anthroposphere in the context of global change (including climate change, land use change, population growth, migration). They will be expected to collaborate closely with other disciplines engaging with integrative earth system research – for example, the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and economics. Responsibilities also include carrying out teaching and research in the laboratory of the Physical Geography unit.
Responsibilities:
The successful applicant will cover research and teaching in the field of physical geography with a focus on geomorphology and earth surface systems.
Appointment requirements:
Governed by Section 100 of the Berlin Higher Education Act (Berliner Hochschulgesetz – BerIHG).
Additional requirements for the appointment include:
- Excellent record of research activities within the field of physical geography as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications with a focus on geomorphology and earth surface on different space and time scales.
- Experience in acquiring and implementing externally funded research projects, including interdisciplinary projects
- Teaching experience at the university level (preferably in an international context), especially in the field of general physical geography with a focus on geomorphology at bachelor and master degree program level
- Excellent knowledge of German or English and the ability to teach in the respective language.
Expectations:
Along with the regular official duties of professors listed in Section 99 BerlHG, we expect the appointee to engage in the following activities: - Develop and implement a promising, internationally visible, and externally funded research program in the field of geomorphology and earth surface systems, including consideration of the anthroposphere.
- Develop and integrate new quantitative, digital approaches and methods into the teaching and research of geomorphology and earth surface systems (for example, using GIS, numerical modeling, geostatistics, artificial intelligence, and data science to process laboratory and terrain data).
- Teach in the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs of the Institute of Geographical Sciences in the fields of physical geography, as well as in interdisciplinary master’s degree programs.
- Collaborate with other working groups at the Institute of Geographical Sciences, the Department of Earth Sciences, Freie Universität Berlin, and the Geo.X network.
- Actively participate in national and international research projects.
- Demonstrate willingness to improve their German or English language skills within a period of three years from the date of employment, where necessary.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to gender and diversity issues in their teaching.
Applications should include a cover letter, a CV including a list of publications, copies of all certificates of academic qualification and letters of reference in German or English (please enclose translations where necessary), a list of courses previously taught, and evidence of teaching aptitude. Please include information on involvement in ongoing and future research endeavors, joint research projects, and externally funded projects, as well as a one-page concept for integrating aspects of gender and diversity into teaching practice, research, and leadership activities. If necessary, please include language certificates. If applicable to your subject area, please give information on partnerships with industry, inventions/patents, and spin-offs.
Please submit all application materials electronically via the appointment portal (https://fu-berlin.berufungsportal.de/) by the above-mentioned application deadline. Be sure to include a personal postal address and email, as well as the reference code for the position. Please use the following postal address in your cover letter:
Freie Universität Berlin
Department of Earth Sciences
Dean’s Office
Attn: Ms. Münchau
Malteserstr. 74-100, House A
12249 Berlin
Application documents will be deleted from our servers after the legal retention period has lapsed.
The regulations defined by the Berlin Higher Education Act that are relevant to professorships (Sections 99, 100, 101, 102a, 102c BerlHG) can be found online: https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/berufungen/index.html.