Maternity cover (f/m/d) “Ecosystem functions”

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 project Smart Use of Heterogeneities of Agricultural Landscapes aims at the quantification of the supply of ecosystem services and disservices as provided by kettle holes in agricultural landscapes and offers two PhD positions (1.“ecosystem functions” and 2.“microbial ecology”).

Kettle holes are regarded as potential hotspots of biodiversity in the monotone arable land due to their high variability of site factors. This project addresses the lack of a systematic knowledge about the hydrological behavior of kettle holes and in particularly the hydrological driven spatiotemporal interaction between kettle holes and their agricultural surroundings. This includes determining the conditions that cause flooding, their interaction with ecosystem services and disservices, the effects on yield, and the regulation of function feedbacks.

In particular, a number of ecosystem functions should be empirically measured at the plot scale by applying Rapid ecosystem function assessment (REFA) methods according to Meyer et al. (2015). The ESF output will be related to structural, qualitative and temporal heterogeneities as provided by different types of kettleholes.

Here, we are offering as soon as possible a part time position (65%) temporarily limited for 8 month, starting at 01. march 2021 at our location in Müncheberg a

Maternity cover (f/m/d) “Ecosystem functions”

Your tasks:

• Run of field experiments at the ZALF Research area within the Uckermark region
• Measuring ecosystem functions (ESF) at the observational plots according to Meyer et al. (2015)
• Statistical analyses of results
• Collection/composition of vegetation and environmental data and data analysis
• Presentation of the results to an national scientific audience
• Co-operation with project partners

Your qualifications:

• Master (MSc) in Biology, Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Geo-Ecology or related fields
• Skills in empirical field studies (vegetation science, soil science)
• Willingness to carry out field work (car driving license required)
• Good knowledge of plant species, experience in statistical analysis with R or others
• Good English language skills (writing and speaking)

We offer:

• An interdisciplinary working environment that encourages independence and self-reliance
• Classification according to the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) EG13 (including special annual payment)
• A collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic working group
• Taking part in a highly relevant research field, the promotion of biodiversity and sustainable land use in agricultural landscapes

Women are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons with equal qualifications are favored. Please send your application preferably by e-mail (one PDF file, max. 5 MB) with the usual documents, in particular CV, proof of qualification and certificates, stating the reference number 02-2021 until January, the 30th 2021 to: Bewerbungen@zalf.de.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Dr. Michael Glemnitz, Tel. +49 (0) 33432/82-264 or by email: mglemnitz@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.

You can find further information at: www.zalf.de/en/ueber_uns/Pages/Datenschutzerklaerung.aspx